NY Giants grades: Offense holds, Leonard Williams has monster game

C Nick Gates

Grade: A

There’s nothing better than a trash-talking lineman who can actually get results. Nick Gates got results in the Giants win over Dallas.

Gates was chirpy all game. And after the first few drives, it became evident that he was going to continue to get into the faces and heads of his opponents.

By doing so, he managed to get a penalty called in his favor. Gates was on top of the pile (and he might have jumped on just a tad late) when Dallas’ Randy Gregory threw a late shoulder into Gates. Gregory was called for unnecessary roughness, which moved the Giants 15 yards. The Giants would go on to score on that drive.

He also saw results in the run game. The Giants’ rushed for 125 yards. RB Wayne Gallman made up the majority of the Giants’ rush game with 11 carries for 65 yards. He averaged 5.9 a carry, most of which went right up the gut, right behind the center.

While the Cowboys’ rushing defense came into the game last in the league, they still have formidable defensive players. But Gates in particular was able to continuously push the line of scrimmage through toughness and determination in his fights in the trenches.

The Giants win when their running game does well. Gates helped in all facets of Sunday’s win, and will hopefully be a strong anchor for the offensive line going forward.