Despite being without starting quarterback Daniel Jones, the Giants were able to get back on track with an impressive victory against the Washington Commanders in Week 7. In Jones’ place, backup Tyrod Taylor led the team to victory and he put on a show.
While Taylor is getting a lot of props from fans, and rightfully so, there were several other guys who were downright brilliant in helping the G-Men pull off the upset victory. In this piece, we take a look at four guys in particular who shut up their haters on Sunday:
4. Right guard Mark Glowinski
After being benched following a poor Week 1 performance, Mark Glowinski helped patch up a Giants offensive line that has been in dire need of any sort of stability. Glowinski did a great job of helping keep Taylor upright and containing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Daron Payne, who had just two tackles and zero sacks.
In the 14-7 victory, Glowinski had an overall PFF grade of 73.6 against the Commanders, which made him the highest-graded Giants offensive lineman and ranked fifth amongst 46 eligible guards in Week 7.
Not only was Glowinski a factor in protecting T-Mobile, but he also made his presence felt in the run game. The Giants eclipsed 100 rushing yards as a team for the fifth time in seven games this season thanks in part to Glowinski’s work in the trenches.
The G-Men are hopeful that stud left tackle Andrew Thomas will finally be able to return from a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1 against the Cowboys. If they’re able to welcome him back, he and Glowinski could be what this offense needs to get back on track if the latter continues to play the way he did in Week 7. Don't forget about John Michael Schmitz nearing a return too.
3. Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux’s revenge tour continues after a disappointing rookie season and he shut his haters up in a big way against the Commanders last week, recording four tackles (one tackle for loss), 1.5 sacks, and two quarterback hits.
It could’ve been an even bigger day had he not dropped an interception that would’ve been an easy walk-in touchdown for him and the Giants defensive unit. Regardless, Thibodeaux played 68 of 69 defensive snaps and was a major factor on virtually every snap, showing off his relentless motor. His role as an every-down player on this Giants defense often gets overlooked because it hasn’t always translated to sacks, but he is a factor in pass coverage as well.
Thibodeaux added to his sack total in Week 7 and he already has more sacks this season (5.5) than he had all of last season (four). He was a handful in Week 7 and the Commanders offensive line had no answers for him.
Week 7 against the Commanders was a reminder of why the G-Men were so excited to select Thibodeaux with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. As long as Wink Martindale continues to dial up the pressure, Thibodeaux is going to continue to silence the doubters by generating pressure and wreaking havoc in opposing backfields.
2. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams had one of his better games in recent memory against the Commanders in Week 7. In addition to recording a sack and two quarterback hits, he blocked a field goal that sparked the team and helped propel them to victory.
Not to mention, Williams was a major factor in the run game, making it difficult for Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. to find any space. Robinson turned eight carries into just 23 rushing yards in what was his second-lowest rushing output of the season.
Williams was a big part of a ferocious Giants pass-rushing unit that had 5.5 sacks in Week 7. With fellow defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence garnering a lot of attention, Williams was able to capitalize on the mismatches and one-on-one opportunities he saw playing alongside Lawrence in Week 7. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come moving forward. If so, the Giants defense could continue to look as dominant as they have over the past two weeks, where they’ve allowed just 10.5 points per game in that span.
According to PFF, Williams received a grade of 56.5 for his efforts in Week 7, which was near the bottom of Giants defenders. However, it didn’t feel that way when watching the game in real time. Williams was everywhere and the grade doesn’t do his performance justice.
1. Tight end Darren Waller
It was only right that the Giants got Darren Waller going on National Tight Ends Day. Waller has quickly become Taylor’s favorite target and is finally beginning to live up to the offseason hype surrounding his arrival to Big Blue Nation this offseason. Waller led all Giants pass-catchers in targets, receptions, and yards, hauling in seven of his eight targets for 98 yards and a touchdown in the process.
He did most of his damage in the first half, catching five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in that span. He was consistently ripping off large chunks of yardage throughout the game with five of his seven receptions going for double-digit yardage, as he was constantly open in the middle of the field.
Many were starting to question just how much of an impact the acquisition of a 31-year-old tight end with an injury history can make on an offense, but Waller was able to silence the critics in Week 7 with a monster performance.
Whether it is Taylor or Daniel Jones under center in Week 8, Waller is certainly going to continue being the focal point of the passing game and will look to carry the momentum from his performance against the Commanders into the clash of New York football teams in the battle of MetLife Stadium counterparts.