PITTSBURGH — The step up in class was too much for the Giants to traverse.
After winning six in a row against teams with little to no realistic playoff aspirations, they lost for the first time in almost two months to the Steelers, 24-14, Sunday at Heinz Field.
The loss puts the NFC East title further out of reach for the Giants, who face the first-place Cowboys (11-1) at MetLife Stadium next Sunday but trail by three games with four remaining. The Giants (8-4) remain in control of a wild-card berth, but face the gantlet of Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington after Dallas.