New York Giants rookie linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux finally had his big breakout game for Big Blue, leading the Giants to a huge 20-12 victory over the Washington Commanders.
After starting the season off slow, Thibodeaux has finally played like the guy he was at Oregon, and on Sunday, the 2022 fifth-overall draft pick showed out.
Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux had his best game yet on Sunday
The 22-year-old rookie made his presence felt from start to finish on Sunday, getting the Giants a huge defensive touchdown with a forced fumble and recovery from a strip sack early in the second quarter, also giving him his first career touchdown in the NFL.
The Giants never looked back from then on, maintaining a lead the rest of the way. Thibodeaux described what happened on that emphatic touchdown after Sunday’s game.
“When I seen [Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke], I was like ‘(expletive), he’s still got the ball.’ So when I hit him – I couldn’t even tell you what happened after that – I just seen it and kept going.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux on his touchdown via SNY
Thibodeau also had a huge near-goal line stop in the final minute of the fourth quarter, making a great tackle along the sideline to push Taylor Heinicke out of bounds just short of the end zone to prevent the Commanders from scoring a touchdown and possibly tying the game following a two-point conversion attempt.
Thibodeaux’s 12 tackles on Sunday marks a new season high for him, with his previous high mark being five tackles in Week 13, also against Washington. He has now also recorded a sack in consecutive games played for the first time in his rookie season.
Thibodeaux is starting to really show signs of comfort with being in the league, as he is showing superb improvement as each game passes by.
Sunday’s game was Thibodeaux’s big breakout game in his young NFL career, and this performance is surely a welcome sight to see for Wink Martindale and his Giants defense that have struggled the past few weeks.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Thibodeaux was asked if he likes playing in a prime-time game with playoff implications at stake. His response was as electric as his personality.
“Prime time likes me.”, Thibodeaux said. “Prime time is always a great time to go out there and play. There’s always a say about who’s the best and who can do this and who can do that. One thing that never deceives you is your eyes, being able to see it. Having all the fans watching, that would be fun.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux via Giants Wire/USA TODAY
Well, prime time definitely enjoyed the performance Thibodeaux displayed on Sunday, and Giants fans will certainly be looking forward to what he does next as the Giants make a final push at a playoff spot.
Thibodeaux and the Giants look to continue their winning ways when they take on Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve.
Follow me on Twitter for more Giants coverage.