Unclear stat time: The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2, which was their record after eight games in all three seasons they reached the Super Bowl in the Ben Roethlisberger era. After a good offensive performance against the New York Giants, Pittsburgh is at the top of the AFC North heading into the bye week. Here’s who stood out in Week 8

University

QB Russell Wilson

Wilson built off his great Week 7 performance and carried it over into Week 8. Had he not had two touchdowns taken away from him, he would have thrown for over 300 yards and three scores as the Steelers scored 40 points. But with 20 of 28 for 278 and a handful of beautiful deep balls, it was all done for the Steelers.

RB Najee Harris

This was Harris’ third consecutive 100-yard game as he totaled 114 yards on six yards per carry. It has come to life in the last month and is running better than ever. This is the guy Pittsburgh wanted when they took him in the first round in 2021.

WR Calvin Austin III

What a game from No. 19. He had the first touchdown of the game with a 73-yard punt return and later double-dipped by catching a touchdown pass from Russell Wilson. He caught three passes for 54 yards and scored two scores in by far the best game of his career.

WR George Pickens

Pickens should have scored two touchdowns in this game, and now he’s having up to three points deducted because of a penalty or the dumbest rule in football, which says dragging the same foot twice doesn’t count as a catch. Regardless, he caught four passes for 74 yards, including an absolute catch on a Wilson crosser for 43 yards.

WR Van Jefferson

How about Van Jefferson for the last two weeks? He had his first touchdown as a Steeler last week and in Week 8 he made a very good back-shoulder catch for a 36-yard gain on third-and-long. He had four catches for 62 yards on the night, both by far the most he’s had in a game this season.

EDGE TJ Watt

Yes, that was vintage TJ Watt. Seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He is the best defensive player in football and at this point it doesn’t feel like anyone is close on his heels.

EDGE Alex Highsmith

Highsmith really could have had three sacks on the night, as his spin move on Watt’s first sack was flawless and immediately put pressure on Daniel Jones. He also had two sacks and six hits against Daniel Jones on the night.

LB Patrick Queen

Queen were quick on the ball and continue to look better day and night than they did in the first month of the season. He finished with eight tackles, which was the team’s most tackles on the night.

CB Beanie Bishop

Another interception for the undrafted rookie. That’s three in two weeks, this one sealed the victory.

Junior varsity

defense

Aside from a small handful of defenders and defensive players, the defense was mostly poor. The Giants had four plays of 25 yards or more, Tyrone Tracy rushed for 145 yards with over seven yards per carry and Darius Slayton beat them twice for big gains, finishing with 108 yards on four catches. Against a Daniel Jones-led offense, I would have expected a much more dominant performance.

Diploma

Once again, the offense keeps getting into the red zone and is eliminated. Granted, one was taken away due to a Broderick Jones penalty (shocking), two other drives ended with field goals in scoring position. They are so close and 26 points is certainly nothing to get excited about. However, they will need touchdowns in these games later and once the playoffs come around.