The New York Giants pulled out a surprising blowout victory against the Carolina Panthers yesterday. The Giants’ offense had a solid performance against Carolina’s defense, thanks in part to a job well done by the offensive line. Second-year offensive tackle Matt Peart stood out on Sunday.
After being projected as the starting right tackle all offseason, Matt Peart was listed as the backup right tackle for start of the 2021 regular season. But after Andrew Thomas went down with an injury, Peart stepped in as the team’s starting left tackle while Nate Solder remained the starter at right tackle. Since taking over for Thomas, Peart seems to have turned a corner and etablished himself as a starting-caliber player.
Matt Peart vs the Carolina Panthers
In Week Six, Matt Peart was the Giants’ starting left tackle against the Los Angeles Rams. He struggled mightily, allowing 4 pressures and giving up 2 sacks. But Peart bounced back against the Panthers in Week Seven.
Against the Panthers, Peart was a drastically improved player. Peart saw the field for 69 offensive snaps on Sunday. On 38 pass-blocking snaps, Matt Peart allowed 0 total pressures versus Brian Burns and the Carolina Panthers defense.
This is not Matt Peart’s first good performance of the season, but it is his first good performance this season at left tackle. In Week Five, Matt Peart started at right tackle against the Dallas Cowboys in place of the injured Nate Solder. Peart allowed only one pressure on 44 pass-blocking snaps in that contest.
Once Andrew Thomas is healthy again, he will be activated off injured reserve and placed back into the starting lineup at left tackle. This will likely move Matt Peart back to the bench. However, considering the improvements Peart has made in his game, he may have earned a role as a starter. The Giants would be wise to give Matt Peart another chance to start at right tackle when Andrew Thomas returns to the lineup.