NY Giants: 3 of Dave Gettleman’s biggest acquisitions on defense deliver Joe Judge’s first win

DT Dexter Lawrence – :36 remaining in 4th Quarter

The jubilation from Fackrell’s forced fumble that Crowder returned for a touchdown to put the Giants up 20-13 quickly turned to angst and trepidation before Lawrence finally delivered a sigh of relief heard ’round the Garden State.

Allen orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to perfection before “Riverboat” Ron Rivera lived up to his nickname by going for the two-point conversion and the road win with :36 remaining.

Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence had other ideas.

Lawrence, 342 pounds of him, sprinted toward the sideline in lateral pursuit of Allen as the Washington quarterback tried to buy time for one of his receivers to break open in the end zone before Lawrence zagged on a dime and made a b-line for Allen with his arms in the air to disrupt the pass that fell harmlessly to the turf.

” I mean, that was a big play,” Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. “Someone that big, I’d be kind of hesitant to take a hit from, a guy like that. It got the ball off of him and he didn’t have enough time to find an open receiver. He and [LB] Blake [Martinez] hit him pretty hard, so it was nice.”

Through his first 23 career games, Lawrence has been one of the most disruptive players on the Giants’ defense and arguably the best pick in Gettleman’s three drafts. Sunday, Lawrence’s pass breakup on the two-point conversion might have been his most impressive — and important play yet.

It was also a brand new play, installed during practice last week, that along with Lawrence it was Bradberry who played a key role by locking down his man.

“It was a new play, but it was similar to another play that we had,” Bradberry explained.” For me, my job, it was easy to learn so it wasn’t difficult for me. We have smart guys on our defense. Anytime the coaches come in and give us a new play, something to install, I would say it’s later in the week, I feel like we can obtain it and be able to adjust and execute.”

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.