New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence had 3.0 sacks in the team’s 29-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday giving him 6.0 on the season.
That is the most of any interior defensive lineman in the NFL this season and is just one half-sack behind the league leader, Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
With future Los Angeles Rams Hall of Famer Aaron Donald securely in retirement, Lawrence is clearly the dean of NFL interior linemen these days.
Even if Donald was still playing, the argument for Lawrence could be made.
It has become understood that one man cannot block Lawrence alone. It takes a village, and then some, to contain him. Teams are beginning to do that, and paying the price as other pass rushers are getting home more frequently. The Giants lead the league in sacks with 22.
This season, Dexter Lawrence is on pace for:
– 20.5 sacks
– 55 tackles
– 13.5 TFL
– 78 pressuresAs a nose tackle. Insanity. pic.twitter.com/1npd5IuNia
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) October 7, 2024
But Lawrence’s individual feats are not what he’s personally concentrating on any longer. Those have come and will continue to come. What he is seeking, as a two-time college National champion, is team success at the pro level.
“I think we stood up when we had to and made plays when we had to. That’s winning football,” Lawrence said after the win in Seattle.
Now comes the hard part for these Giants — winning consistently. Lawrence was asked what it will take to achieve that.
“Understanding the goal at the end of the day. We can celebrate this one on the plane route but when Monday hits, we turn the chapter,” he said.
With Lawrence at the top of his game eating up the scenery in the middle of the field on defense, the Giants are beginning to gel and this season can turn into something special.
