CNN
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The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants 26-18 Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, on a night marked by defensive play and a moment of special team performance.

The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to convert drives into touchdowns, with their kickers – Chris Boswell for Pittsburgh and Greg Joseph for New York – each successfully converting three field goals to make the score 9-9 at halftime. to take.

But the game came alive with 4:38 left in the third quarter when Pittsburgh’s Calvin Austin III took a Giants punt around the edge of defenders and down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown.

And the 25-year-old wasn’t done there yet; on the next Steelers drive early in the fourth, the wide receiver caught a 29-yard pass from QB Russell Wilson to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 14.

According to the NFL, Austin III became only the second player in the past three seasons to receive and return touchdowns in the same game. The other player was Kalif Raymond, who accomplished the feat on Sunday for the Detroit Lions in their demolition of the Tennessee Titans.

After the game, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith praised Austin III’s work ethic and ability to stay ready.

“I went up to him after he scored the touchdown and said it was just a matter of time and I knew he was going to get the touchdown soon,” Highsmith said as he explained what he told the receiver after his first touchdown.

“He’s a guy that comes every day, he works hard, he’s humble, he’s down to earth and he’s a great guy, and so to see him get those two touchdowns today, especially that punt return, was great. “Again, that’s just super important to him, so I’m happy for him, and he’s a great player.”

However, the Giants did attempt a comeback, with rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. drove back and rushed 45 yards for a sensational touchdown just under two minutes later.

That was as good as it got for the visitors, though, as they failed on their two-point conversion attempt after the score – quarterback Daniel Jones was visibly frustrated after WR Malik Nabers was tackled, as there was obvious confusion among the Giants squad.

After Wilson fumbled the ball on his own 34-yard line, giving New York a perfect opportunity to stage a comeback, Jones did the same, fumbling after Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt knocked the ball loose in a strip pocket with the All-Pro of the first team. retrieving the ball to force a turnover.

The Giants defense stepped up one last time to force a punt and give the team one last chance at a comeback. But Jones was intercepted by Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. – his third in two games – and Pittsburgh held on for the hard-fought win.

It is the second straight win with Wilson as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback after replacing Justin Fields. Wilson finished 20 of 28 for 278 passing yards and the touchdown pass to Austin III, while running back Najee Harris added 114 yards on the ground on 19 carries.

The Steelers now enter their bye week riding a three-game win streak atop the AFC North with a 6-2 record.

However, Watt says he and his Pittsburgh teammates aren’t resting on their laurels just yet.

“We’re (not) just concerned about the overall outcome,” the 30-year-old said. “We can’t allow a 48-yard touchdown or whatever it was. But there are things we can correct and get better at every week.

“We are going on a farewell, and we can’t just go on holiday. We have to find a way to get better and tighten our lead this week and get better.

The Giants fall to 2-6 with the loss and will face the resurgent Washington Commanders in Week 9.