Leonard Williams earns praise from NBC Sports' Peter King
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams enjoyed one of his best performances of the season in Sunday's win over the Commanders.
Williams picked up his first full sack of the year to go with two quarterback hits and three total quarterback pressures.
But the veteran defensive lineman made his strongest play, and perhaps the Giants' best play of the game, on special teams. With Washington looking to bring the score to within four, Williams got through the line of scrimmage and was able to block Joey Slye's 27-yard field goal attempt, keeping the score at 14-7.
NBC Sports' Peter King named Williams one of his special teams players of the week for his blocked field goal.
"Special teams is about effort in so many cases, and Williams' effort on a field-goal block early in the fourth quarter of a tightly contested game was huge," wrote King. "With the Giants up, 14-7, and Joey Slye lining up for a 27-yard chip shot to make it a four-point game, Williams burst through the center-guard gap and got one huge hand on Slye's boot. Big, big play in the Giants' 14-7 win."
It was Williams' first blocked field goal in 131 NFL games, and the Giants' first block since Oct. 15, 2017, when Kerry Wynn blocked Brandon McManus' 53-yard try in Denver.
Williams ended the NFL's longest active streak of opposing field goal attempts without a block.
"I just remember getting in my stance next to Nacho (defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches) and Nacho is like loading up, and I'm like, 'Hey, this could be a huge play right here, like let's get this block, this could be it right here,'" Williams told the media Monday. "I think he didn't look at me or say anything, but I could just tell by the way he was screwing his cleats in that he was ready to get off the ball and I think he did a great job of getting off the ball and driving and it allowed me to use that drive to get a little bit of penetration and get my hand up. It was great teamwork honestly and great communication, I think we spoke it into existence a little bit."
View photos from the Giants' Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) makes a catch against Washington Commanders cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (26) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) puts pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) passes against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) passes against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants linebacker Cam Brown (47) celebrates with linebacker Carter Coughlin (52) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Cam Brown (47) celebrates with teammates during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel (4) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) and New York Giants cornerback Tre Hawkins III (37) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) comes down with a touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) comes down with a touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) reacts during the second quarter an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sack Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) scores a touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) catches an interception during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants safety Bobby McCain (21) is pushed out of bounds by the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) avoided a tackle by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during a touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) hands the ball off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) puts pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants players celebrate a play during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is sacked by the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) looks to pass under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) react during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) hands off the ball to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) is tackled by the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates with tight end Darren Waller (12) after blocking a field goal attempt by the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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