Three takeaways from the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Banks gets benched
Deonte Banks is supposed to be the Giants’ best cornerback and yet he spent most of Monday night's 26-18 loss to the Steelers — including all of the second half — on the bench. Giants coach Brian Daboll pulled last year’s first-round pick after another lackluster performance in which both his effort and technique were brought into question.
This time Banks missed two tackles, one in which running back Najee Harris hurdled him, and botched a coverage on a would-be touchdown that was overturned upon review during a second-quarter drive by the Steelers.
Daboll said the Giants “needed a little bit more” from that position and replaced Banks with practice squad elevation Greg Stroman.
“They said it was missed tackles,” Banks said. “I just play football. If that’s what they want to do, that’s what they’ll do.”
Such matters have become a recurring issue with Banks. Last week he was called out by coaches and teammates for a lack of effort in the loss to the Eagles. He also felt the ire of defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson for not hustling in the loss to the Cowboys.
Banks said it was a “weird” feeling watching the rest of the game after he was removed.
“I don’t really think I was playing bad,” he said, “but it’s not my choice.”
Daboll said Banks likely will be back in the lineup on Sunday when the Giants play the Commanders but said such a decision needs to be discussed first.
2. Jones, Lawrence show their frustration
Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence, the two longest-tenured Giants and the obvious leaders of the team, both erupted in uncharacteristic fits of frustration during the game. Lawrence chewed out defensive teammates on the sideline in the second quarter and Jones was visibly angry when the Giants botched a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter.
“I think I always play with an edge,” Jones said. “Maybe I showed it a little bit differently tonight, but that doesn’t change my approach. Just frustrated. Frustrated with coming up short again.”
Lawrence said he thinks more of the players need to show that kind of energy.
“We have to show more passion,” he said. “That’s what you have to do to grow.”
Daboll, usually reserved in his praise for Jones, said he was impressed by this outburst and Jones’ demeanor throughout the game.
“I loved it,” he said. “Competitive, fiery, that’s what you want from your quarterback. Good for him to do that.”
3. Tracy sets new career high
Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown and is becoming the Giants’ clear-cut starting running back. He did, however, leave the game late with what appeared to be a head injury and will be evaluated for a concussion on Tuesday.
This was Tracy’s second triple-digit rushing game. He ran for 129 yards in the win in Seattle. Devin Singletary, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason to be the starter and main running back, had only two carries for 11 yards against the Steelers.
“Once again the guy played his tail off,” Daboll said of Tracy. “He’s developing the right way. Competitive, tough. He’s a good football player for us.”
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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