Big Ben, defense shine in easy Steelers victory

There was one overriding reason Ben Roethlisberger worked so hard to return from a major elbow injury. His team. Roethlisberger, who missed the final 14 games last season after elbow surgery, threw for three scores and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Giants 2616 at an empty and eerie MetLife Stadium on Monday night. He also got all the help he could ask for from his defense and backup running back Bennie Snell.

“I am excited we won the game,” Roethlisberger said. “I told the guys before the game it is not about me individually. The reason I came back is for these guys, this team. It’s a special group of football players, of men, and I am just glad to be a part of it.”

A key part of it, along with several defensive plays and Snell’s 113 yards on 19 carries — his first 100yard performance in his second NFL season.

The defense, while not quite on the level of the famed Steel Curtain, was stingy and physical. It held

Saquon Barkley to 6 yards on 15 carries, swarming in the backfield nearly all night.

“I have to be better,“Barkley said. “I have to be better for the team. We have to get the running game going.”