Week 8’s matchup for the Pittsburgh Steelers features a showdown with the New York Giants in primetime on Monday night. While we as Steelers fans are hopeful for an all-around strong performance from the team, the article below highlights a few players whose performance could wind up being the ultimate difference in the game.

From a complete team perspective, Pittsburgh historically has played down to lesser opponents. That is not to say that the Giants are not a formidable opponent this week capable of winning the game; what I mean to say is that there have been many games in the past in which Pittsburgh is heavily favored in the matchup, and the game ultimately is closer than what was expected. The Giants have been off to a rocky start this season, and the Steelers are favored to win. My hope for this week is that the Steelers are able to start fast and maintain control of the game throughout its entire course, sealing a third win in a row. Coming off of two weeks in which 30+ points were scored and the Steelers won in a decisive fashion, it would be ideal to see yet another similar, if not improved, performance.

Shifting away from a complete team perspective, let’s shift to some individuals who will be pivotal in this week’s contest.

Najee Harris

Najee Harris is arguably coming off of the two best performances in his career. Over the last two weeks, Harris has run the ball harder than perhaps I have ever seen him run in the NFL. While he has had more rushing yards in a game before, he has averaged 7.6 and 4.9 yards per carry (against Las Vegas and the New York Jets, respectively) over the past two weeks and managed to find the endzone in both games. He played an essential role on offense in both of those wins, and I think the same is going to hold true for this week. Against the Jets, Harris’ success on the ground allowed for a successful play action pass game and really opened things up for Russell Wilson and his downfield weapons. A late rushing touchdown secured the victory when the Steelers were running the clock out. Harris needs to have another strong performance against the Giants to help slow down Dexter Lawrence and company from getting after Russell Wilson, which is key to the Steelers being successful on Monday night.

The Entire Offensive Line

As mentioned above, the Giants have a strong defensive front that will likely pose a challenge to the offensive line. This group’s performance is likely going to dictate Pittsburgh’s success on offense in both the running and passing game. They might be the most important group to watch of all this week, and I am hopeful that they will be up to the challenge.

Donte Jackson

While Joey Porter, Jr. and Malik Nabers are going to be the matchup everyone is talking about, Donte Jackson has no easy task this week. Wan’dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are both more than capable pass-catchers that the Giants may look to if Porter can lock down Nabers, one of which will likely fall to Jackson on every play. Jackson is a player whose strong performance is going to be essential to holding the Giants’ passing attack in check and securing a black and gold victory. Jackson has played relatively well as a CB2 so far this season, and I am hopeful that his productive play continues this week.

George Pickens

Pickens is loaded with talent and has a way of coming down with contested catches. He also had a great game with Russell Wilson at quarterback last week. However, Pickens has been inconsistent at times throughout this year. There have been games where he has not been as productive and has even dropped a few passes. There has also been some sideline frustration noted, which he can only be faulted for so much. He is only human, and frustrations do boil over at times. However, the Steelers have limited depth at wide receiver, and Pickens is the undisputed WR1 on the team. He is called upon often in the passing game, and consistent play from him is going to be important for not only Monday night but for the remainder of the season.

Pickens will be a player to keep an eye on, and I am looking forward to watching his chemistry with Russell Wilson grow this week. Hopefully it will result in a busy day for both men and a strong offensive performance.

Darnell Washington

Washington had 4 catches last week, which nearly totaled his targets for all of last season. I have discussed him previously, but I truly believe Washington, as well as Pat Freiermuth, have been underutilized in the past. On a squad without a true WR2 on the roster, it makes sense to target the available big tight ends in the passing game. Washington is a player that might not make headlines ahead of the game, but I think he is a key player to watch. I predict Russell Wilson to look his way often and for his role in the offense to grow as the season goes on, especially in the red zone. It’s time to feed this big man what Russ is cookin’.