That’s remarkable, though perhaps not surprising given the job Graham has done this season. The 41-year-old, in only his second NFL season as a defensive coordinator, wasn’t exactly handed a roster dripping with talent. Yes, GM Dave Gettleman did improve it in the offseason with the addition of free agents like cornerback James Bradberry and linebackers Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell. But it was still definitely flawed, especially when he lost DeAndre Baker and Sam Beal at corner, and Lorenzo Carter, Oshane Ximines and Markus Golden at edge rusher.

Graham didn’t blink and pieced together a scheme that rotates a ton of young players throughout the game. And it’s a testament to him that when he puts players like rookie linebackers Carter Coughlin and Tae Crowder or defensive end Niko Lalos on the field, they always seem to be in position to make plays.

“I was giving props on the sideline to Pat for how good he’s been doing with the guys that he has,” Williams said. “I feel like a lot of these young guys have been stepping up big for us.”

“He’s done a hell of a job as the year went on as he started to get to know his guys better, what we’re good at,” added safety Jabrill Peppers, “and putting us in position to make plays.”

And they do. Williams has a career-high 8 ½ sacks. Bradberry is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He’s gotten huge contributions from his rookie linebackers Coughlin, Crowder and Cam Brown. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is showing why he was selected in the first round. It would be hard to find a player on this defense who is underachieving.

That says a lot about the coach.

And Graham and his scheme deserve that credit, because without his defense the Giants would be nowhere. The Giants’ defense entered this game ranked 10^th overall, despite having to carry the NFL’s fourth-worst offense. The Giants have been in every game but one this season, taking it right down to the fourth quarter. It’s always been the defense that’s taken them there.

The only thing missing was what happened on Sunday: The defense hadn’t really done it against a top opponent. The Giants hadn’t beaten a winning team. Now they have, and again it’s mostly because of the defense.

And the revival of the Giants defense this year is mostly because of Graham.

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