Brian Daboll needs to clean this up

Shading The Giants lost 26-18 to the Steelers Monday night:

Offense

The good was offset by too many penalties and mistakes that turned the chances into dust. Daniel Jones (24 of 38, 264 yards) lost a fumble after a shot (Jones made a mistake with the defensive tackle) and intercepted the ball in the last three minutes. He eventually passed the ball to Darius Slayton (4-108), but his connection with Malik Nabers (seven catches on 13 targets) was inconsistent. Rookie RB Tyrone Tracy (20-145) busted out on a 45-yard run and looks to fit. Tackling Jermaine Eluemunor and Chris Hubbard had a tough night against TJ Watt (two sacks) and Alex Highsmith (two sacks). Jon Runyan Jr., Hubbard, Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten were called for penalties. The two-point conversion attempt failed. An illegal substitution penalty and a delay of game penalty were assessed on consecutive plays in the third quarter. Yuck.

Grade: C-

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is pursued by Steelers' TJ Watt (90) on October 28, 2024. — Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is pursued by Steelers’ TJ Watt (90) on October 28, 2024. AP

Defense

This unit allowed 19 points and sometimes that should be enough. Still, there was no question of domination. Najee Harris (19-114) averaged six yards rushing. Russell Wilson (20 of 28, 278 yards, 1 TD) did enough. Tough performance by rookie CB Dru Phillips, who was tackled by Calvin Austin III on a 19-yard TD reception. Nick McCloud was tackled by Van Jefferson on a 36-yard catch. Bobby Okereke had his most active game this season, making 14 tackles. Azeez Ojulari had two sacks and Brian Burns had one. Armon Watts threw to Jaylen Warren for a 3-yard loss. Micah McFadden forced a foul on Wilson, which Okereke recovered from.

Grade: C

Special teams

Matt Haack got ahead of his net and there were four missed tackles on a hugely devastating 73-yard touchdown strike after Austin. Greg Joseph made 4 of 4 field goals of 29, 39, 44 and 48 yards. Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Dane Belton made a tackle after a punt return at the Pittsburgh 16-yard line. Punt’s comeback was killer.

Grade: D

Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts during a loss to the Steelers on October 28, 2024. Getty Images

Coaching

It’s the little things that hurt the Giants this time, and Brian Daboll needs to clean up some of that stuff. Pre-snap penalties and failure to line up players may not continue. I didn’t like that he went for a two-point conversion so early (11:07 left), but that’s what the book and the stats say, so whatever. Daboll benches Deonte Banks there was something. Shane Bowen’s defense allowed 167 rushing yards, which is once again unacceptable.

Grade: D