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Kayvon Thibodeaux silences haters with NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod

Braulio Perez
Braulio Perez

GMEN HQ

Kayvon Thibodeaux, NY Giants. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Things could not be going better for NY Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux right now. The No. 5 overall pick had easily the best game of his young career in Week 15, helping the G-Men take down the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field. Thibodeaux was a monster and made life impossible for the Washington offensive line.

The playmaker finished with 12 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and his electric touchdown that got the Giants on the board. Thibodeaux has been receiving loads of praise since Sunday night and things got even better for him on Wednesday, as he’s been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

NY Giants rookie pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is the NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Thibodeaux showcased just how spectacular he can be for Wink Martindale. He’s really been coming on of late, which has people fired up about what he’ll be able to do in the future. Let’s make one thing clear, if Thibodeaux wasn’t out on the field against the Commanders on Sunday night, there’s no way the Giants win that contest.

Not only did Thibodeaux have his amazing touchdown in the first half, but he very well may have saved the game late in the fourth quarter. Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke broke free for a big run and had his eyes on the end zone. If looked like Heinicke was going to score, potentially putting the Commanders in a great position to try and tie things up at 20-20 and force overtime.

Thibodeaux wasn’t going to let that happen, however, as he got low and made a sensational tackle to prevent Heinicke from recording a clutch touchdown. After that, the Giants defense stood strong and closed out the victory. It was a night to remember for Thibodeaux and we loved that this one came in primetime. Adding the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor – well, that’s just sweet.

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez is an NCAA Content Director for FanSided, joining Minute Media in 2017 after 2.5 years at the Newark Star-Ledger as a high school sports reporter and 2.5 years at the Lynden Tribune as sports editor. While with the Lynden Tribune, Perez was named the Sports Writer of the Year in 2012 for his division by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. At the Star-Ledger, he also assisted in coverage of college football recruiting. Perez's focus has been on college football recruiting, high school sports, the NFL, NCAA and English Premier League. He is also a regular contributor for 247Sports' Cougfan.com.