October 6, 2024. Seattle, Washington, USA. New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, 97, celebrates after being sacked during the second quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Required Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The Giants’ defense has lived up to the preseason hype of being one of the best in the league, with a Giants defense that has recorded an NFL-leading 22 sacks through the first five weeks of the 2024 season.
At the center of it all, both literally and figuratively, is Giants superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is on track to have a career year even by his standards.
Lawrence’s six sacks through five games are second in the NFL behind Detroit Lions second-year phenom Aidan Hutchinson’s 6.5 sacks. And that feat becomes even more impressive when you consider the fact that Lawrence is a nose tackle.
Lawrence’s six sacks are already one-and-a-half shy of the career high he set in 2022, when he was a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.
Three of his six sacks came in Sunday’s 29-20 win over the Seahawks, increasing his 2024 QB pressure total to 12 and boasting a 0% missed tackle rate. He is competent and capable at the same time.
“I thought we executed our plan well and covered our defensive backs well,” Lawrence said. “They gave us time to get there. (Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith) was looking for second and third reads, so it gave us time.”
Isaiah Simmons’ FG block gives the Giants a 29-20 win over the Seahawks.
Always charismatic and known by many as “Sexy Dexie,” Lawrence is not only a sack and dance specialist, but also hailed as one of the NFL’s best run-stoppers. The Giants were able to hold Seahawks star running back Kenneth Walker to 19 yards on five carries.
“That was something that was very emphasized,” Lawrence said. “He’s a special running back. We had to stop the run early and often, but we didn’t have to worry too much because the offense was scoring us points.”
The Giants, currently 2-3 on the season, will aim to get back to .500 when they return home to face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have struggled to start the season.
