Week 9 N.F.L. Game Probabilities: A Steel Defense No More The Steelers visit the Giants this Sunday in a game that would normally be billed as one of those unstoppable-force-versus-immovable-object games. But that story line doesn't apply this season, as the Steelers' defense has been very movable because of a combination of age and injury. Pittsburgh's defense is below average for the first time since before 2000, when the N.F.L. first digitized its data. Although the Steelers have allowed only 144 points, tied for third best in the A.F.C., a lot of that success is because of their top-tier offense. The Steelers' successful passing attack has kept the ball out of opponents' hands, and by moving the ball and limiting turnovers, it has left opposing offenses with poor field position. A close look at Pittsburgh's defensive numbers reveals that the Steelers are struggling to generate turnovers. Although their defensive passing efficiency is near the top of the league, where it has been in recent years, they've managed only three interceptions, half the league average. By comparison, the Giants have 16. Mostly because of a lack of turnovers and big plays, the Steelers rank 29th in defensive Win Probability Added and 21st in defensive Expected Points Added. The Steeler defense is also 31st in Success Rate, but this is mostly the result of an inability to stop the run, a category in which they rank dead last in the league. The offenses for both teams have been very effective so far this season, so expect a high-scoring game. The Giants edge the Steelers in most critical statistical categories and have home-field advantage, so they'll be clear, but not overwhelming, favorites on Sunday. Here are the game probabilities for Week 9: Brian Burke, a former Navy pilot who has taken up the less dangerous hobby of N.F.L. analysis, operates Advanced NFL Stats, a blog about football, statistics and game theory.