Giants vs Steelers.
Last week the Steelers won their first preseason game against Detroit 23-7. The game had plenty of rain and included a lightning delay of one hour and 13 minutes. Byron Leftwich started the game at quarterback and did not impress, but he was followed by Dennis Dixon who went 6 of 7 for 128 yards and finished with a 158.3 passer rating - very impressive.
The Giants won their preseason game last week against the Jets 31-16 in the first football game ever played at the new stadium. Unfortunately, Eli Manning and linebacker Chase Blackburn were injured in the process and both had to leave the game. It was discovered later that backup quarterback Jim Sorgi was also injured.

Steelers.
They were a 15-1 team that went on to win the Super Bowl, but they followed that up in 2009 with a 9-6 season. Their five game losing streak with loses to two division rivals and teams with names like Kansas City (4-12), Oakland (5-11), and Cleveland (5-11) killed off any chance for the playoffs, even with winning out after that in their final three games. Mike Tomlin is only the Steelers' third head coach in the past 41 years, and he did get a contract extension in the offseason, but he has his work cut out for him this season.

Steelers - Offense.
The big guy, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, is under suspension for up to six games for the start of the regular season, but guess what? We're living in preseason times. Mike Tomlin says Roethlisberger will play in this Saturday's game, so the lucky Meadowlands fans will get to see him toss the ball around in person for the first time this year. Judging by last weeks offensive efforts, they are working harder to establish their ground game which might be a necessity for them since they will have to go it without their star quarterback for at least the first 4 games. It was fairly effective but of concern was that the running backs put the ball on the ground a few times against the Detroit Lions, even losing one that was knocked away by former Giant safety C.C. Brown.

Steelers - Defense.
It's an aging group of players, but they are very effective when they're all healthy and playing. They still have a good pass rush, but their secondary was the real weakness last season. Safety Troy Polamalu was a real big factor for his absence, but he's back now after missing 11 regular season games. The cornerbacks were not the best and did not have an interception until the very last game played in Miami. Last week safety Ryan Clark intercepted a pass in the first quarter so maybe that's a start.

Giants - Offense.
Eli Manning will not be playing in this game, Jim Sorgi is also out. That leaves Rhett Bomar in charge of the Giants first string offense and he's going up against the Steelers defense. Bomar was good last week completing 6 of his 7 passes for 67 yards and one touchdown and he showed he can scramble, but that was late in the game against the Jets' third-string defense. Like last week, starting guards Chris Snee and Rich Seubert are out for this game. It may be some relief that the Giants quickly signed two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews on Friday. Steve Smith and Kevin Boss will be back, but to keep pressure off their inexperienced quarterback, there will be more than a bit of desire to see the running game really shine. Let's face it, Brandon Jacobs fiercest looking carry last week was the one where he slammed into Eli Manning.

Giants - Defense.
They played pretty well last week in the win against the Jets, but shined more in their run defense. The pass rush is still a work in progress, but granted, you don't get everything in your first preseason game of the year. Last week Mike Tomlin said he didn't want Roethlisberger playing with the second team and had him work out with the starting offense most of this week so the Giants will likely see him be the starter. They'll be put to the test, as it might be hard for the Giants offense, led by a rookie quarterback to stay on the field for long stretches at a time.

This game.
Call it 'quarterback roulette'. The Steelers are trying to figure out which quarterback will run their offense to start the season while still keeping Ben Roethlisberger sharp for his eventual return. Byron Leftwich completed only 6 of 10 passes for 43 yards before Dennis Dixon took over and came on strong.
The Giants will be trying to survive this game knowing that Eli Manning will be back, but Jim Sorgi has suddenly turned into a question mark in the number two spot with a second injury to his shoulder. They will really be evaluating Rhett Bomar for future potential. For insurance(?), the Giants have signed rookie Dominic Randolph, who was with them in their rookie minicamp in May, to be the fourth quarterback. The starters on both teams will see a bit more action this week, as preseason goes.

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