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Leonard Williams named NFC Def. Player of the Week

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In what will certainly be no surprise to Russell Wilson, Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams has been selected the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Williams was the dominant defensive player and Wilson's primary tormentor in the Giants' 17-12 victory Sunday. The sixth-year pro tied his career high with 2.5 sacks – all in the second half – for 25.5 yards and was credited with five of the Giants' 10 pressures on Wilson, who seemingly had to avoid Williams every time he dropped back to pass.

The Giants sacked Wilson five times for 47 yards, held Seattle to 4-of-15 on third and fourth downs, and limited the Seahawks to one drive of longer than 57 yards.

In the third quarter, Williams sacked Wilson for a 15-yard loss to help force a Seattle punt. Midway through the fourth quarter, Williams teamed with Jabaal Sheard for a five-yard sack. And with the Seahawks desperately trying to drive for the go-ahead touchdown, Williams sacked Wilson for a 10-yard loss on a third down with 48 seconds remaining, all but ending Seattle's chances to win the game (Wilson threw a desperation incompletion on fourth down).

Williams increased his season sack total to a career-high 8.5, which ties him with former Giant Jason Pierre-Paul for sixth in the NFL. His previous best was 7.0 sacks as a second-year pro with the Jets in 2016.

Williams is the second Giant to win a Player of the Week award this season; kicker Graham Gano won special teams honors in Week 9 after kicking three field goals in the Giants' 23-20 victory in Washington.

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the last Giants defensive player named Player of the Week; he was honored in Week 4 of 2019 after intercepting two passes against Washington.

Williams is the first Giants defensive lineman to be named Player of the Week since Pierre-Paul in Week 12 of 2016 when he had 3.0 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown in Cleveland.

View photos of defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

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