The New York Giants picked up their first win of the season in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s first career start on Sunday.
While Dart and the Giants were able to put some points on the board and hold the lead throughout the entirety of the game, it was the defense that stepped up in a big way against the high-powered Los Angeles Chargers.
Entering the season, the Giants’ defensive line was expected to be one of the league’s best, and the pass rush most certainly answered the bell in Week 4. The trio of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and rookie Abdul Carter absolutely dominated the Chargers’ thin and banged-up offensive line.
Burns had a big sack late in the fourth quarter to end the Chargers’ second-to-last drive. His impressive performance earned him Giants Wire Player of the Game honors.
Carter was also extremely impressive on Sunday and seems to be getting better with time. However, he was quick to credit the rest of the defensive line for his success.
“Yeah, we feed off that. We feed off each other. Whoever’s hot, whoever’s bringing the energy, we all try to feed off that and keep bringing the energy together,” he said, via SNY.
Thibodeaux has been impressive this season and seems to have elevated his game after the Giants drafted Carter in the first round this past April. He was shocked when he heard about the 20 pressures produced by the Giants’ big trio of edge rushers.
Jaxson Dart shouted out the Giants’ defense, which had a major hand in helping Dart start 1-0 as a starter.
“I thought our defense carried us through this game. I thought our defense, our offensive line, played at a really elite level,” he told reporters. “Our D-line knew that they had to play at a dominant level for us to win. Just really credit to those guys for stepping up and making a lot of plays.”
When the defensive line plays to its potential, it can elevate the entire defensive unit to being one of the best in the game. If the defensive line is going to continue to improve throughout the season, it will go a long way toward helping the Giants win games as the season continues.
The trio of Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter was certainly impressive on Sunday, and the Giants hope they continue to improve as they spend more time together.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ vision becomes reality as pass rush dominated in Week 4
Reporting by Tyler Henry, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
