NY Giants studs and duds after defense dominates Eagles

NY Giants DB Xavier McKinney – STUD

Xavier McKinney was mentioned by an NFC coach earlier this month in a FanSided survey of league insiders as a player who could shape the second half of the NFL season, and he once again showed why on Sunday.

On a first down and 18 from the Eagles’ nine-yard line, Jalen Hurts had plenty of time in the pocket before airing it out on a pass deep downfield intended for wide receiver Jalen Reagor, but McKinney made a leaping grab to pull down an interception.

Over the NY Giants’ past three games, McKinney has three interceptions, and is developing into a playmaker in the secondary.

“One thing we’ve really found with him is this guy can do a lot of things close to the line of scrimmage,” Judge explained following Sunday’s game. “He can cover man, he can play underneath as a robber, he does all those things very well. The one thing he really does exceptionally well is playing the deep part of the field.”

McKinney’s interception was his team-leading fifth of the season. The NY Giants’ second-round pick in the 2020 draft has quickly ascended into one of New York’s premier defensive players and may be one of the more underrated at his position in the league.