When asked earlier in the week if he enjoyed playing under the lights, Kayvon Thibodeaux responded: "Primetime likes me."
Well, the rookie outside linebacker backed that claim up with the best game of his young professional career on Sunday night, and now he has been nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week.
The fifth overall pick was a force in the run game early, racking up three tackles for loss in the first quarter. But the highlight of the game came early in the second quarter when the 22-year-old sacked Taylor Heinicke near the Commanders' goal line and forced the ball out of the quarterback's hands. Thibodeaux then scooped the ball up and ran into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown.
"I think he's consistently improved throughout the year, and obviously I've said this before, I'm glad we drafted him," coach Brian Daboll said after the game. "I'm glad he's part of the team. I think he's gotten better each week. He's a big part of our defense. ... He gave us, obviously, a lot of juice. That play he made down there when they were backed up kind of changed the tide a little bit (in) the early part of the game. He's a very talented player, and he played like it."
View the best photos of Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a sack during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), ILB Bobby Okereke (58), NT Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Leonard Williams (99)
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Jaylon Smith Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Oshane Ximines (53)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darnay Holmes (30) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Jaylon Smith (54), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday October 24, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) gets introduced before before a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday November 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) gets introduced before a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Jihad Ward (55)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
NT Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during an week 2 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 5 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 4 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Monday October 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) before a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Thibodeaux finished the game with a game-high 12 total tackles (nine solo), one sack, three tackles for loss and the touchdown. The 12 tackles were also a new season-high for the rookie.
"He played a good game," Daboll added on Monday. "Watched the tape last night on the train, and that's what we expect from him – to go out there and play with effort. That's what we saw in him in college. When we went through the process of selecting him in the draft, that's what we felt really good about: A guy that loves football, that competes, that finishes. He's done a really good job of fitting into our organization and what we want to do."
The other nominees for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week 15 are:
- WR Jahan Dotson (WAS) - 4 receptions for 105 yards and a TD
- QB Brock Purdy (SF) - 17 of 26 for 217 yards and two TDs
- RB Tyler Allgeier (ATL) - 17 carries for 139 yards (8.2 avg.) and a TD
- WR Rashid Shaheed (NO)- three receptions for 95 yards and a TD
- LB Christian Harris (HOU) - 14 tackles, three tackles for loss
