NFL

Big Ben a Giant target in clash of historic franchises

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In the end, whether today’s Giants-Steelers game provides a diversion or distraction or a few hours of relief from those still suffering from the after-effects of Hurricane Sandy, it will go down in the books as a key weekend for both sides.

These teams are unfamiliar foes with long-standing and tradition-filled fan bases, and they often are right in the thick of playoff and Super Bowl contention. The Giants prepped for this game with the storm having knocked out power in their homes, and the Steelers arrived in New Jersey the day of the game because they did not want to displace hurricane victims seeking shelter from their team hotel. By all accounts, it has been a long, strange trip to kickoff.

“I think that not only will they be focused, I think the mission will be quite clear,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “Trying to provide a few hours of enjoyment for so many that have been devastated, I think they’ll do a good job of that.’’

The Giants are on a roll, winners of four straight and coming off a wild 29-24 victory in Dallas, punctuated by a correct and fortunate touchdown reversal in the closing seconds, after blowing a 23-0 lead. Today’s game features the two quarterback stars from the Class of 2004, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, who have won four of the past seven Super Bowls.

“I think it comes down from the top,’’ Justin Tuck said. “You talk about the Rooneys, the Maras, the Tisches, it filters from the top. You have two franchise quarterbacks, teams that have been known for their defenses, two tough-minded franchises that know how to win football games. It is not always flashy. It is not always what people want to see, but they are constantly in the mix, and I think [those are] the similarities.’’

A look inside the game:

BEST BATTLE

Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey vs. Giants DT Linval Joseph: Pouncey is one of the excellent young centers in the league, and Joseph is an emerging interior defensive lineman. Both are in their third NFL season and will have a big say in who controls the line of scrimmage.

END GAME

Heath Miller probably would have walked from Pittsburgh to get a shot at running routes against the Giants defense. Miller had to catch more than a glimpse of the way Jason Witten ravaged the secondary for a Cowboys franchise-record 18 catches for 167 yards. A variety of defenders tried, unsuccessfully, to keep Witten from inflicting damage. Miller isn’t as elusive as Witten, but he’s pretty darn good, with 35 receptions and a team-high six touchdowns.

NO RUSH AT ALL

Remember when the Steelers were all about bruising and bashing on offense, with an extreme emphasis on pounding away on the ground? That’s not today’s Steelers. They are seventh in the NFL in passing offense but 21st in rushing. They come in all banged up in the backfield, as Rashard Mendenhall is out and Jonathan Dwyer is not likely to play. That leaves Isaac Redman to carry the load against a Giants defense that limited the Cowboys last week to 19 rushing yards.

“It’s not Bill Cowher’s Jerome Bettis — give him the ball 55 times,’’ said Mark Herzlich, who makes his first start of the season, replacing injured Chase Blackburn (hamstring) at middle linebacker.

“They still try to mix it in, but the biggest thing is Ben,’’ Tuck said. “He is the reason why they are so successful in their offense. That is not a knock on their running game. But when you think of Pittsburgh first, you got to think of him.”

BIGGER THEY ARE

Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked

13 times in seven games, so it is not as if he is impossible to topple. But at 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, he certainly is not easy to drop.

“He’s a very hard guy to bring down,’’ Antrel Rolle said. “I’ve played against Ben a few times in my career, so I do know that. Although you do see someone have him by the leg or whatever the case may be, still stay in your coverage because he will break and throw. He will throw with someone hanging on one arm, he’ll throw with someone hanging on one leg.’’

Justin Tuck agreed. “There is a reason why they call him Big Ben,” he said. “You just see guys get straight rushes and he kind of side steps them and they kind of fall off of him. We realize that is going to be a big obstacle for us and make sure that we wrap him up and get to him.’’

IN THE NICKS OF TIME?

There was a hope around the Giants that last week was going to reveal the true Hakeem Nicks, as he presumably is returning to health. That didn’t happen. Nicks actually led the team with four catches for 46 yards, but he clearly still is not performing at his vintage level. Once again, he practiced a full week and his name no longer appears on the injury report. Might this been the game he re-emerges?

“We’re going to see it on Sunday … hopefully, we will,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “I think the more he feels better, the more he’ll be able to play up to his full potential. When you have Hakeem playing at his best, he’s a formidable force to deal with out there.’’

paul.schwartz@nypost.com