Giants-Steelers similarities are about history, not present

In one sense, the Giants and Steelers are forever joined in history and tradition — multiple-championship franchises that have been family businesses for nearly a century.

Like royal families of Europe, the teams even are linked on a personal level. Actress Rooney Mara goes by that name because her mother, Kathleen, is a Rooney and her father, Chris, is a Mara.

But as they prepare to meet on Monday night for the first time in four years and for the first time in Pittsburgh since 2016, they diverge in a key area: stability.

The Steelers, of course, are the black-and-gold standard, having had three head coaches — Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin — since men first walked on the moon.

The Giants have had six head coaches (including an interim) since 2015.

Everyone in the NFL would agree the Steelers’ course is the preferred one.

“Just start with the organization; it’s a model of consistency,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “Coach Tomlin is an exceptional coach. Before that, Coach Cowher. Obviously, Coach Noll, [starting in] 1969.

“It seems like every meeting that I’ve had with head coaches that have been part of the staff, it’s almost the same meeting. Different faces, but the same meeting relative to the toughness that that team plays with, the grit that they play with, how they control the line of scrimmage on both sides, run the football, use the action game.”

Daboll added, “I’ve got a lot of respect for how they’ve done things for a long time ever since I’ve been in the league.”

The Giants are 2-5 and the Steelers are 5-2, which normally would not bode well for the visitors’ quest for more stability.

But on Wednesday, Giants president John Mara sought a more patient path, announcing that Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will finish out this season and most likely start next season in their current positions.

Mara offered no such assurances about quarterback Daniel Jones, who on Monday will try to unlock the key to establishing consistency on offense.

It will not be easy, with uncertainty at both tackle positions against the fierce Steelers pass rush led by T.J. Watt.

Jones also happens to be 1-14 in prime-time games, including 0-2 this season.

This is his last chance in 2024. The Giants are not scheduled for any more night games and at this rate are not likely to be flexed into any down the stretch.

Going against Game 3 of the World Series figures to limit the audience for the game in the New York market, but much of the rest of the country figures to tune in to see the two iconic brands meet.

The Steelers, then known as the Pirates, hosted the Giants in their first NFL game — a 23-2 Giants victory at Forbes Field on Sept. 20, 1933. The Steelers scored only by blocking a punt out of the end zone.

The Giants lead the series, 44-31-3.

The Steelers have not lost a Monday night home game since the Giants’ 23-20 victory at Three Rivers Stadium on Oct. 14, 1991. They are 14-0 on Monday nights at Acrisure Stadium.

Even the players appreciate the tradition behind the matchup.

“Two historic franchises,” Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke told Newsday. “Obviously, the Giants have an incredible history. You see it all over the walls. Just a motivating game to bring a lot of pride to our fans and organization, and it’s going to be a heavyweight fight.”

Okereke said the prime-time vibe and the setting add to the fun.

“It’s exciting, especially as you prepare for the week and visualize the plays you’re going to get,” he said. “You try to visualize the atmosphere. All of that comes into it. And that’s part of it.

“You build it up. You hype it up so you can have as much energy and confidence as you can on game day.”

As for that unfathomable stat about Pittsburgh having only three coaches since 1969 . . .

“It’s a culture and an identity that they have there,” Okereke said. “That’s organizational. It starts top down. Obviously, Mike Tomlin has done an incredible job there. They’ve had a lot of winning seasons. So it’ll be an amazing matchup.”

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.