Steelers vs. Giants: Live Score, Highlights and Analysis for Pittsburgh

Whether it's established starters with Super Bowl rings or players fighting for a roster spot, somehow the Pittsburgh Steelers defense turns to jelly when Curtis Painter steps onto the field.

At least this time, the game didn't count.

Painter's 3-yard touchdown pass to Corey Washington with 2:50 remaining lifted the New York Giants to a 20-16 win over the Steelers Saturday night in the Steelers' 2014 preseason opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The last time the Steelers' defense encountered the journeyman quarterback, Painter led the Indianapolis Colts on an 80-yard, game-tying drive in Week 3 of the 2011 season. The Steelers ultimately won that game 23-20.

More disturbing than Painter's game-winning TD pass on a field full of backups was Rashad Jennings' 73-yard touchdown run against the Steelers' starters in the first quarter, which gave the Giants a 7-3 lead. That's not what Mike Tomlin wanted to see after the Steelers allowed 11 plays of 50 yards or more last season, most in the NFL.

The Steelers' only touchdown was scored by the defense on a splash play orchestrated by three linebackers who are trying to make an impression. Chris Carter, who has played three uneventful seasons, pressured Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib into a fumble. Vic So'oto got his hand on the ball and Howard Jones ran it in 28 yards for the touchdown and a 16-13 Steelers lead in the fourth quarter.

Dri Archer, the Steelers' third-round draft pick in May, provided his team's highlight of the night when he turned a short pass from Ben Roethlisberger into a 46-yard gain in the first quarter.

Fourth-round pick Martavis Bryant wasn't as impressive. He muffed a punt, which he recovered, and dropped a fourth-down reception in the fourth quarter that killed the Steelers' final drive.

The Steelers next play Saturday at 7:30 p.m., against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. 

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