The New York Giants are fully aware that they will have their hands full when they visit Acrisure Stadium in Week 8 to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With a Monday Night Football showdown on deck, Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke referenced the Steelers’ rich history and the various obstacles they pose to an opponent.

“They have a great history, a great culture in that organization and a lot of pride,” Okereke said. “Their fans bring it with them every game. That black and yellow, you really feel it on match day. So just understand you’re going into a hostile environment. Understand they want to play old-fashioned football. Play great defense, run the football , and make sure we have a big challenge ahead of us. We need to create turnovers and stop the run.”

Under head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has a 20-3 record as of Monday night, while it is a perfect 10-0 at home. The team gets its first primetime win of the season in a 37-15 drubbing of the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.

New York offensive guard Jon Runyan Jr. expanded on the ways the Steelers’ home crowd can impact the game, while also stating that the Giants are ready for the challenge it will present.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere in Pittsburgh on Monday night,” Runyan said. “I know Pittsburgh is a huge football town and when they start playing their music on Monday night in the fourth quarter and the towels are being waved, it’s going to be a great environment. I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure it will be will be.” I feel like this is one of the environments in which we thrive. We have played in some tough environments so far this year and I know the boys will be excited and ready for this.”

The Giants enter the game with a 2-5 record after suffering a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Their two wins both came against the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks in Weeks 3 and 5, respectively.

New York’s offense is among the worst in the league this season, averaging 290.7 yards and 14.1 points per game, which doesn’t make for a particularly favorable matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that has consistently proven its brilliance.

All week, the Giants mentioned Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt ad nauseam.

The 30-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year has 16 pressures and 4.5 sacks this year. With New York in danger of not having any of their starting tackles healthy, quarterback Daniel Jones is taking extra precautions to ensure he knows where Watt is at all times.

“Obviously he’s a good player and I’ll know where he is,” Jones said. “As a quarterback, I think my job is to feel the pocket, move in the pocket and get the ball out on time. I can’t afford to look at the rush, look at him or anything “Like that. So, trust the game plan, trust the scheme, trust the way it’s set up and then do my job, execute and get the ball out on time.”

Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns, who is enjoying a fruitful first season with the team as their No. 1 edge rusher, also has great respect for Watt’s craft.

“He just finds a way to impact the game in a lot of ways,” Burns said. “Super intense, ruthless. TJ is a guy I watch quite a few movies about. He does what he does best. I’ll say that. He has a move that people seem used to, but they don’t figure out. He does what he’s good at.”

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