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Giants Defensive Grades: Shorthanded Secondary Shuts Down C.J. Stroud
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- Giants Defensive Grades: Shorthanded Secondary Shuts Down C.J. Stroud
The New York Giants defense gave up a couple of untimely scores but was solid in the team's 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans.
Here are the game grades for the Giants defense from their Week 7 win.
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Defensive line: B+
Darius Alexander shared a sack with Arvell Reese, and D.J. Reader added two tackles and a quarterback hit.
But the real reason the D-line gets such a good grade is they dominated the Houston offensive line. The Giants held Houston to 84 rushing yards and forced the Texans offensive line into five holding penalties. They also stymied Cade Stover's tush push in the second quarter, which forced a punt.
Outside linebackers: A-
Kayvon Thibodeaux had his best game of the season, setting the edge in run defense and getting after the passer. He had two pressures, and according to SNY's Connor Hughes, Thibodeaux posted a season-best pass-rush win rate (24.0%), which also was the best on the team.
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Abdul Carter was a menace again, even though he didn't record a sack. He drew a holding penalty on Houston's final offensive play for one of his eight pressures, and he was the team's emotional leader throughout the game.
Inside linebackers: B+
Micah McFadden stepped up, posting 10 solo tackles and two tackles for loss while also serving as defensive signal-caller. He did get burned for Marvin Harrison Jr.'s second-quarter touchdown, but his solid coverage required a perfect throw from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
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Reese had a half-sack but also had seven tackles, including five solo tackles.
Both Reese and McFadden played all 61 defensive snaps Sunday, which makes their standout games that much more impressive.
Cornerbacks: A
Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo dominated, which was especially impressive since they played every defensive snap in Greg Newsome II's absence.
Adebo came off injured reserve and looked like the player the Giants signed to a three-year, $54 million contract in 2025. Harrison's 6-yard touchdown was his only catch of the game, and Banks locked down Houston's No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, holding him to just two catches for five yards.
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The Texans' biggest play, a 43-yarder from Stroud to Tank Dell, was a fluke that went through Jaylin Noel's hands and landed in Dell's. Plus, the corners helped to hold Stroud to a season-low 153 passing yards.
Dru Phillips' second-quarter holding penalty was the only blemish on the corners' otherwise-perfect day.
Safeties: A
The Giants' safeties were impressive, especially considering they were without Jevon Holland, leaving Jason Pinnock and Ar'Darius Washington as the starters
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Washington was tied for second on the team with seven tackles. Pinnock also had three tackles and a pass defended while playing all 61 defensive snaps and lining up both in coverage and near the line of scrimmage against the Texans' run game.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
