The New York Giants headed down to Landover, Maryland on Sunday afternoon to take on the Washington Commanders, a team they traditionally play very well against.
Despite low expectations, the Giants again put on their hard hat and went to work against their long-time NFC East rivals. The defense, in particular, stepped up to the plate and rebounded after a humiliating display in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Wink Martindale’s crew recorded four sacks and forced five of the six turnovers on the game, including a game-sealing pick-6 by linebacker Isaiah Simmons with just seconds remaining.
On the other side of the ball, running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Tommy DeVito put enough points on the board to allow the D to keep the pressure on.
Here is a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from the Week 11 win.
STUD: NT Dexter Lawrence
Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence looks like a man among boys this season. In Week 7, he dominated Commanders center Nick Gates, which ultimately led to his benching. After Sunday’s game, Washington may go back to Gates because Tyler Larsen was completely overwhelmed. Even when he had help, they were no match for Sexy Dexy. He finished the game with four tackles (four solo, one for a loss), one QB hit, one sack and two passes defensed. He had at least five pressures.
DUD: OL Justin Pugh
The return of Justin Pugh has been a great story and he’s been a calming presence for the Giants’ offensive line. However, he (and the remainder of the iOL) were soundly beaten in Week 11. Although many of the sacks were on the quarterback, Pugh struggled mightily in pass protection and as a run blocker.
STUD: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux
After a few weeks of nearly invisible play, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux showed up against the Commanders. When does he not? Thibs does some of his best work against Washington and Sunday was no different as he recorded five tackles (three solo, two for a loss), three QB hits, two sacks, and a pass defensed. Some of those, including a third-down sack and a touchdown-saving tackle, were quite timely.
DUD: S Jason Pinnock
The Giants recorded six turnovers on the day and it could have been seven. Safety Jason Pinnock made a great read to undercut wide receiver Terry McLaurin and had an interception literally in his hands. But it went through them, bounced off his chest and hit the ground. It was the easiest interception opportunity he’ll ever have and he dropped it.
STUD: WR Darius Slayton
Before exiting the game with an arm injury, wide receiver Darius Slayton was finding some of the greenest zones of his entire career. Even when Tommy DeVito couldn’t get him the ball, Slayton was wide open. It was a persistent theme on the day, resulting in four receptions on five targets for 82 yards and one touchdown. And the shake and bake on that touchdown? Very impressive.
DUD: CB Deonte Banks
Cornerback Deonte Banks has fallen off in coverage but that’s not his most glaring issue. His tackling is subpar at best and he’s all but given up on attempting to wrap up. He had a chance to stop Commanders quarterback Sam Howell short of the goal line in the second quarter but completely whiffed with a shoulder attempt.
STUDLY DUD: QB Tommy DeVito
The stat line put up by rookie Tommy DeVito was wildly impressive — 18/26 for 246 yards and three touchdowns. It looks beautiful but his performance was much more of a mixed bag. He deserves credit for what he did but there’s no denying that he contributed heavily to the nine sacks allowed, missed multiple wide-open receivers, held the ball entirely too long and twice ran the incorrect play. Still, he tossed three touchdowns and picked up a win. Forget about it.
Other STUDS:
- CB Nick McCloud
- LB Bobby Okereke
- WR Wan’Dale Robinson
- RB Saquon Barkley
- LT Andrew Thomas
- LB Micah McFadden
Other DUDS:
- TE Daniel Bellinger
- OL John Michael Schmitz
- OL Ben Bredeson
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- LB Jihad Ward
- RB Matt Breida
- LB Azeez Ojulari
