(Graphic by Ethan McCoy)
The Steelers will travel to the swamps of Jersey to square off against the Giants on Monday night to start their journey of the 2020 season, in hopes of it ending in Tampa Bay, Fla. on Fed. 7, 2021 with confetti falling down and hoisting the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy.
- With the Giants being an NFC opponent, the Steelers have played New York just eight times since 1985, with both teams each winning four of those contests. The most
memorable Steelers-Giants game in recent memory was when Ben Roethlisberger edged out Eli Manning in 2004 when they were both rookies in a 33-30 back-and-forth duel.
- The Steelers and Giants are both cornerstone franchises dating back to the early years of the NFL when the league was just forming. The two families in the Rooneys and Maras have a long history of being close friends. In fact, Art Rooney II and John Mara sit next to each other at league meetings every year, a tradition that started with Dan Rooney and Wellington Mara.
- The Giants lead the all-time series against the Steelers 44-30-1. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 2-1 against the Giants with the two teams' last meeting in 2016, which was a Steelers' 24-14 victory at Heinz Field.
- The Steelers are 7-5-1 under Mike Tomlin in Week 1 games and are 3-4-1 in road games during the first week.
- The Steelers are 48-24 when playing on Monday Night Football and have won eight straights games on Monday night. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 15-2 on MNF and are
8-2 on the road and 7-0 at home. The Steelers have won 18 consecutive MNF games
when playing in Pittsburgh, with their last loss coming in 1991 against the Giants, which is also the last and only other time the two teams met on MNF. The last time the Steelers opened the season on MNF was in 2016 when they beat Washington 38-16.
- The Steelers are 1-3-2 against the Giants in Week 1 contests since their founding in 1933. The two teams last Week 1 game was in 1968, which was a 34-20 New York win.
- The Steelers are 6-point favorites against the Giants for Monday night's game, according to Oddsshark.com. The over/under for the game is at 47.5 points. The Steelers are 7-1 against the spread in its last eight games against the NFC, while the Giants are 1-5 against the spread in its last six home games, per Oddsshark.com. The under is 3-0 in the last three Steelers-Giants game.
- David DeCastro (knee) did not practice once again today and was officially ruled out for Monday night's game, per the injury report. Diontae Johnson was a full practice participant for the second consecutive day after missing Thursday's practice with a foot injury and should be able to go on Monday night. Roethlisberger did not practice today, but it was a coach's decision. Stefen Wisniewski will start at right guard in place of David DeCastro. For the Giants, linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), wide receiver Golden Tate (hamstring) and tight end Levine Toilolo (hamstring) are listed as questionable for Monday night.