The time is finally here. After a long and unusual off-season, the 2020 NFL season is ready to kick off.
Joe Judge and the Giants will be immediately tested in their Week 1 matchup, as Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and the talented Steelers defense are coming to MetLife Stadium for a Monday night showdown.
With a big week ahead, let's take a look at five big storylines to follow heading into the Giants' Week 1 game against the Steelers.
Daniel Jones against a tough Pittsburgh defense
Daniel Jones showed plenty of promise in his rookie campaign last year. In 12 starts, Jones completed about 61 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 44 rushes for 274 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and two scores.
The young signal-caller flashed at times in 2019, finishing the season with three games of 300+ passing yards, 4+ touchdown passes and zero interceptions, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to accomplish that feat at least twice. Jones set Giants rookie records for passes, completions, and passing yards. He also led NFL rookies and set a team rookie mark for TD throws.
It wasn't a perfect season, as he led the league with 18 fumbles (11 lost). Working on ball security was one of Jones' biggest priorities and he will be put to the test right away. The 2019 Steelers led the NFL with 54 sacks, 18 fumble recoveries and 38 takeaways and are returning most of the same talented players on defense.
Jones and the offensive line will have to keep an eye out for T.J. Watt and Bud Depree on the edge, as well as Cameron Heyward up the middle. In the secondary, cornerback Joe Haden and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick can cause trouble.
Slowing down James Conner
The Giants' run defense received a big boost when Leonard Williams was acquired halfway through last season. Beginning in Week 10, Big Blue did a great job of holding the opposing team's lead back in check.
Le'Veon Bell (1.9 yards per carry on 18 carries), David Montgomery (1.7 ypc on 13 carries), Aaron Jones (1.6 ypc on 11 carries), Miles Sanders (3.0 ypc on 15 carries), and Adrian Peterson (2.4 ypc on 15 carries) struggled to find running lanes against the Giants in the second half of the season. With a full off-season to integrate Williams into the unit, along with another year of development for Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence and the addition of linebacker Blake Martinez, the run defense could replicate it's late-season success against the run.
Although Pittsburgh averaged just 90.4 rushing yards per game last year, they were playing without starting running back James Conner for a large portion of the season. Conner played in a career-low 10 games in 2019, but still managed to accumulate 715 yards and seven touchdowns on 150 touches (116 carries, 34 receptions). A healthy Conner in combination with Pittsburgh's talented offensive line will provide a difficult matchup.
Nick Gates gets his first start at center
One of the most intriguing competitions in training camp was the battle for the starting center position between Nick Gates and Spencer Pulley. Gates, who signed a two-year contract extension at the beginning of August, is listed as the starting center on the first unofficial depth chart. Pulley, who started 10 games at the position for the Giants over the past two years, is second on the depth chart. The two have been competing for the starting role and Judge suggested the competition will continue this week.
While he has never taken a game rep at center, Gates has shown tremendous versatility throughout his football career. After starting 25 consecutive games at left tackle for Nebraska, Gates filled in at right tackle and right guard for the Giants last year and received high grades from Pro Football Focus. The young lineman should benefit from the presence of veterans Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez on either side, and the three will look to form a formidable interior line.
The Giants' Week 1 opponent isn't providing Gates with any help in his first start at center. In Monday's matchup, Gates will be tasked with stopping Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh's two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman. Heyward is coming off possibly his strongest season in which he registered 9.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits and 60 total pressures on his way to a First-Team All-Pro selection.
The first few weeks of the season will be a good litmus test for the new center with matchups against Chicago's Akiem Hicks, San Francisco's Javon Kinlaw and Los Angeles' Aaron Donald. But it all starts on Monday night against Heyward.
Getting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger
It is no secret that the Giants struggled to get pressure on the quarterback last year. Big Blue took down opposing quarterbacks just 36 times in 2019, but things are looking up for the pass rush this season.
The team's three leading pass rushers are returning. Markus Golden racked up 10 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. Lorenzo Carter is entering his third season and stood out as one of the stars of training camp. In the team's Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium, Carter was unofficially credited with at least three sacks and constantly applied pressure.
Second-year edge rusher Oshane Ximines will look to build on his 4.5-sack performance as a rookie, which he accomplished while playing just 45 percent of the defensive snaps. Veteran free against Kyler Fackrell was added to the group this off-season. He totaled 10.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits for the Packers in 2018. Between these four outside linebackers, along with rookies Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has plenty of talent to deploy.
When the two storied franchises take the field for kickoff, it will be exactly 365 days since Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was in a game, as the 38-year-old suffered a season-ending elbow injury last September. The Giants will have to make sure the veteran doesn't get comfortable in the pocket if they want to limit Pittsburgh's passing game.
Joe Judge's head coaching debut
With everything that has gone on this year, it seems like a lifetime ago that Joe Judge stood at the podium at MetLife Stadium for his introductory press conference shortly after last season. However, the 38-year-old is finally set to make his head coaching debut.
"We're going to put a product on the field that the people of this city and region are going to be proud of because this team will represent this area," Judge told the media in January. "We will play fast, we will play downhill, we will play aggressive. We will punch you in the nose for 60 minutes, we will play every play like it has a history and a life of its own, with a relentless, competitive attitude. We will play fundamentally sound, we will not beat ourselves. That is our mission right here."
Judge, his coaching staff and all of his players have been reiterating this message since the start of training camp. Playing smart, fundamentally sound football has been one of the biggest themes of camp, evidenced by the penalty laps that players and coaches have had to run after making mistakes in practice.
Monday night will be the first time we get to see Judge on the sideline as a head coach. Although it is only the first game of the season and teams typically take a few weeks to get into their groove, this battle against a strong, veteran team should serve as a great opportunity for the Giants to practice what their head coach has been preaching.
The Giants will hold a virtual Season Kickoff Event presented by Investors Bank featuring several players and team executives Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. ET. The event will stream LIVE on Giants.com, the Giants Mobile App, and the Giants YouTube channel.CLICK FOR DETAILS
View photos of the history between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
New York Giants halfback Bosh Pritchard (35) is aided by effective blocking as he goes through an opening for a 6 yard gain in first quarter of National Football League game with Pittsburgh Steelers at Polo Grounds in New York City, Dec. 2, 1951. Giant guard Duke Maronic (67) takes out a Steeler at left. Other identifiable player is Giant quarterback Chuck Conerly (42). (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Ward Cuff (14) of the New York Giants kicking a 23-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter of game with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Oct. 20, 1940. Giant Players are Tuffy Leemans (4) holding ball; Doug Older Shaw (39); Leland Shaffer (20) and John McLaughry (17). Steelers are: Everett Fisher (8); John Woudenberg (36), Frank Sullivan (18), and John Noppenberg (50). Giants beat Steelers 12 to 0. (AP Photo)
New York Giants Hall of Fame safety Emlen Tunnell (45) and safety Jim Patton (20) defend a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers halfback Ray Matthews (25) during an NFL game in Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 4, 1956. The Giants defeated the Steelers 17-14. (AP Photo/Pro Football Hall of Fame)
Frank Gifford, New York Giant halfback is brought down by bevy of Pittsburgh Steelers after taking pass good for 11-yard gain in second period at Yankee Stadium, New York City, on Nov. 15, 1959. (AP Photo)
New York Giants Del Shofner (85) balances a Y.A. Title pass on his fingertip in Pittsburgh Steelers end zone as Steelers' Brady Keys (26) makes flying effort to break up play. Giants won, 42-21, to move into first place in Eastern Conference of National Football League in 1961. (AP Photo)
Frank Gifford of the New York Giant (16) reaches for a pass thrown by Y.A. Tittle in the third quarter of game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sept. 30, 1962. Gifford caught the pass and went over for a touchdown to give the Giants a 24-20 lead it never relinquished. New York won 31-27. (AP Photo/Dozier Mobley)
New York Giants' flanker back Frank Gifford (16) snares a pass during game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Yankee Stadium, Dec. 15, 1963. (AP Photo)
New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle (14) is shown in action during game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Dec. 15, 1963. The Giants won the game 33-17 to take the Eastern Conference Championship of the National Football League. (AP Photo)
Del Shofner, (85), New York Giants' end, grabs Y.A. Tittles' pass for touchdown at 41st-yard line in first quarter of game with Steelers at New York's Yankee Stadium on Dec. 15, 1963. (AP Photo)
New York Giants Randy Minniear (27) hits the ground after tackle by unidentified Pittsburgh Steelers defender in the second period at Yankee Stadium, Nov. 20, 1967, New York. Randy picked up nine years on a pass play from Fran Tarkenton, (10) right background. The Giants won the National Football League game 28-20. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Aaron Thomas of the New York Giants does a headstand after taking a touchdown pass of about 45 yards from quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the second quarter of the on Nov. 19, 1967 National Football League game in New York. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants Fran Tarkenton (10) recovers a fumble during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 12,1969 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Also pictured is Pittsburgh Steelers Ben McGee (60). The New York Giants beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7. (David Durochik via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers L.C Greenwood (68) and Pittsburgh Steelers Ben McGee (60) during a game against the New York Giants on October 12,1969 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The New York Giant beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7. (David Durochik via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Roland Lakes (76) stops Pittsburgh Steeler running back Preston Pearson, at left in mid air, at 31-yard line in the fourth quarter of NFL Exhibition Game, in New York's Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, 1971. The Giants Carl Lockhart (43) lower right, assists in play. Steelers won the game, 20-3 (AP Photo/ John Lindsay)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) works his way around a blocker during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 21, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 28-10. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) breaks past Pittsburgh Steelers Robin Cole (56) at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 21, 1985. Giants won 28-10. (AP Photo)
New York Giants wide receiver Arthur Marshall (83) pulls in a pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson (26) during the first quarter action, Oct. 23, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) breaks away from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland (99) and Scott Chad (30) as he runs for 23 yards in the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Pittsburgh Steelers James Farrior (51) tackles New York Giants Ike Hilliard (88) in the first half Saturday Dec. 18, 2004 at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.The Steelers won the game 33-30. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants center Bart Oates (65) pass blocks during the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21, 1985 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-10. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey dives to make a touchdown catch as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Russell Stuvaints (33) looks on during the first quarter Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles for 13 yards and a first down during the second quarter as Giants center Shaun O'Hara (60) blocks Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Chris Hoke (76) and Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith (91) hits the turf Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Steelers beat the Giants, 33-30. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer, left, dives, trying for a first down after making a catch, as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshaea Townsen defends in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Toomer came up a yard short. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) closes in as New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress (17) turns upfield after making a reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in Pittsburgh. New York won 21-14.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton (98) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in Pittsburgh. New York won 21-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New York Giants' Matthias Kiwanuka, right, grabs Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger just before Roethlisberger got off an incomplete pass off in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. The Giants beat the Steelers 21-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New York Giants Eli Manning (10) throws a touchdown pass over Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Larry Foote (50) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in Pittsburgh. The Giants won 21-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New York Giants safety Kenny Phillips (21) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Limas Sweed during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in Pittsburgh. New York won 21-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New York Giants defensive tackle Justin Tuck, top, and defensive end Matthias Kiwanuka, bottom, sack Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. The Giants won 21-14.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New York Giants linebacker Danny Clark, left, runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, right, in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. The Giants won 21-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) celebrates a touchdown a week 9 football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 4, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey(AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) runs with the ball after making a catch during a week 9 football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 4, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey(AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the New York Giants take not he Pittsburgh Steelers during a week 13 NFL football game on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) runs away from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) runs back an interception during the second half of an NFL football game as Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) gives chase, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants outside linebacker Michael Boley (59) runs away from Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster (73) as he returns a fumble for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, left, shakes hands with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Steelers won the game 24-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) celebrates after sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants running back Andre Brown (35) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) stands in the huddle before a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) visit after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. The Steelers won 24-14. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the New York Giants take not he Pittsburgh Steelers during a week 13 NFL football game on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New York Giants tight end Will Tye (45) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cortez Allen (28) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants nose tackle Robert Thomas (99) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
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