Through a mutual connection, Joe Judge has known Mike Tomlin since before his days in Pittsburgh. On Monday night, he will face him as a peer.
Judge is set to make his head coaching debut against the Steelers, a team that defines continuity in professional sports.
"I know Mike has those guys practicing and playing aggressive," Judge said. "That's just the way he is in person. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a coach for what he's done for me personally in my career, giving me the opportunity as a young coach to tag along at times and impart to me some of his experiences that have helped me develop my own career."
Here are three keys to victory for the Giants on Monday night:
Be the more physical team.
In his introductory press conference on Jan. 9, Judge said, "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. 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."
It has been a long, strange journey since then. The coronavirus pandemic led to an unprecedented off-season and training camp, void of OTAs and preseason games. With so many unknowns, teams will rely on fundamentals early, and Judge knows the Steelers have been successful for so long because of their physical brand of football. The Giants need to match it -- and then exceed it -- in order to win the game.
View photos of the Pittsburgh Steelers starters according to their first unofficial depth chart.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin
QB Ben Roethlisberger
RB James Conner
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR Diontae Johnson
TE Eric Ebron
TE Vance McDonald
FB Derek Watt
LT Alejandro Villanueva
LG Matt Feiler
C Maurkice Pouncey
RG David DeCastro
RT Zach Banner
DT Cameron Heyward
NT Tyson Alualu
DE Stephon Tuitt
LOLB T.J. Watt
LILB Devin Bush
RILB Vince Williams
ROLB Bud Dupree
LCB Joe Haden
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
SS Terrell Edmunds
RCB Steven Nelson
NICK Mike Hilton
P Dustin Colquitt
K Chris Boswell
LS Kameron Canaday
H Dustin Colquitt
KR Anthony McFarland Jr.
KR Ray-Ray McCloud
PR Diontae Johnson
Protect the football.
Tomlin, whose team is 23-21-1 in the month of September since he took over in 2007, said in his conference call with Giants beat reporters that the first four weeks of the season are mostly about not hurting yourself. In other words, it's about limiting turnovers and big plays. Both plagued the Giants last season while the Steelers thrived. Pittsburgh led the NFL with 38 takeaways, including a league-high 18 fumble recoveries. T.J. Watt forced eight fumbles, tied with Arizona's Chandler Jones for the NFL lead. Meanwhile, the Giants lost more fumbles (16) than any other team.
"I think you can see [Watt] certainly is attacking the ball when he gets back there," Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said. "He's working hard to get that ball out. A lot of the fundamental things as a quarterback, like keeping two hands on the ball and making quick decisions and getting the ball out. Those are things that we're certainly focused on."
Adjust.
To some extent, the lack of OTAs and preseason games has surrounded teams in a shroud of secrecy. While coaching background is a big indicator in the scouting process, there will undoubtedly be wrinkles.
"The beauty of it, and also the hard thing about it, once the game comes, we have to adjust," assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "Then they are going to adjust, and we have to adjust again. That's what we get paid to do and it's fun."
Tomlin and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger have been together for years, but Matt Canada is entering his first season as the Steelers' quarterbacks coach. Canada, who was a finalist for the Broyles Award, an honor given to college football's top assistant coach, in 2016. His units set offensive school records at Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh, and most recently, while he was the interim head coach at the University of Maryland.
"We'll see what Matt Canada's influence on the offense is," Judge said. "I'm sure he's doing breaks and multiples. We'll have to see as the game unfolds what it ends up being. I wouldn't be surprised to see new wrinkles. We're going to prepare for whatever comes our way and adjust within the game. But at the same time, what's made them good over time is their ability to do what they want to do."
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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