NFL Monday Night: Najee Harris records third straight 100-yard game for Steelers

In the first five games of the 2024 NFL season in Pittsburgh, running back Najee Harris rushed for 270 yards without a touchdown on 82 rushing attempts, giving the Steelers a 3-2 record. In the final three games, Harris ran for 322 yards and two touchdowns on 54 carries, helping Pittsburgh remain undefeated.

The former Alabama All-American extended his streak of 100-yard games to three in the Steelers' 26-18 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.

Against the Giants, Harris had 114 yards on 19 rushing attempts and 17 yards on three receptions.

In his fourth NFL season, Harris recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing game. Harris joined Shaun Alexander, Derrick Henry, Bobby Humphrey, Mark Ingram and Josh Jacobs as the sixth former Alabama player with a streak of at least three 100-yard rushing games in the NFL. These five players combined for twelve such streaks.

Wide receiver Calvin Austin provided the fireworks for Pittsburgh. After each team made three field goals in the first half, Austin returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers a lead of 14 points built.

Former Auburn wide receiver Darius Slayton had four receptions for 108 yards for the Giants. Slayton had the seventh 100-yard receiving game of his NFL career and he reached that milestone in both games against the Steelers. Slayton had six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns in New York's 26-16 loss to Pittsburgh on September 14, 2020.

In addition to Harris and Slayton, seven players from Alabama high schools and colleges took the field during the New York-Pittsburgh game:

· Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Auburn) is on injured reserve and is ineligible to play.

· Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) started free and safe for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick made four tackles and broke up a pass.

· Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (Saraland) was listed as inactive on game day. A groin injury prevented Flott from being in the squad.

· Steelers cornerback Zyon Gilbert (Jeff Davis) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Chris Hubbard (UAB) started at left offensive tackle for the Giants. New York signed Hubbard from the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad on October 18 after left tackle Andrew Thomas suffered a season-ending foot injury. Joshua Ezeudu started in Thomas' place last week. Hubbard had 58 regular-season NFL starts before Monday night, but none at left tackle. He had started 51 games at right tackle, four at right guard and, in the early days of his career with the Steelers, three as an extra lineman instead of a tight end.

· Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) made one tackle on special teams.

· Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) recorded no stats in his 2024 debut. Neal made his first appearance of the season with a 2-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter.

· Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) started at defensive tackle for the Giants. Nunez-Roches made two tackles and recorded a quarterback hit.

· Steelers running back La'Mical Perine (Theodore) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· George Pickens (Hoover) started as a wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens had four receptions for 74 yards. Pickens caught two passes in the end zone without scoring a touchdown. The first time a penalty canceled out the reception. The second time around, Pickens landed twice on his right foot without his left foot touching the ground before being thrown out of bounds.

· Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) averaged 43.7 yards on three punts and netted 43.0 yards. Waitman had a 40-yard punt for a fair catch at the New York 17-yard line, a 55-yarder with a 2-yard return at the New York 26 and a 36-yarder for a fair catch at the New York 26 New York 7 line.

· Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (Athens) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

Pittsburgh (6-2) enters its bye week. The Steelers' next game is November 10th at 12:00 p.m. CST against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

The Commanders are also the next opponent for the Giants (2-6). New York plays Washington on November 3rd at noon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.