Loss May Have Caused New York Brown-Out

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Dave Brown threw in Rod Woodson’s direction once too often, and it might have resulted in more than a 10-6 victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the New York Giants on Sunday.

It might have cost Brown his starting job.

Woodson’s 25-yard interception return early in the fourth quarter set up a game-winning six-yard touchdown run by Byron (Bam) Morris with 8:17 to play, and the Steelers handed the Giants (3-4) their fourth consecutive loss.

Morris, despite two costly early fumbles, showed the Steelers can win without injured Barry Foster. Morris, Pittsburgh’s third-round draft choice from Texas Tech, rushed for 146 yards in 29 carries and was very effective in helping Pittsburgh, the league’s top rushing team, run out the clock.

The Steelers’ defense also came up big, limiting New York to one first down and 56 yards total yards in the second half. Overall, the Giants were held to 53 yards rushing, were one of 14 on third-down conversions and turned the ball over three times, all by Brown.

He had two passes intercepted and was charged with a questionable fumble at the Pittsburgh one. He was also sacked five times in what was one of the worst-played games this season.

Brown last week was told by Coach Dan Reeves to produce or face the prospect of sitting on the bench behind backup Kent Graham.

“I have always felt that anything that you say after a game like this is not very smart,” Reeves said. “I will wait. We will evaluate everything. Dave Brown and everybody on our football team will be evaluated. If we are going to do something, it will be after looking at the films.”

Brown was 13 of 25 for 206 yards.