Dexter Lawrence flowing, sacks looming as Giants' defense pressures forward

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence says he's 'flowing' and expects sacks to come as the team opens the season with back-to-back losses. Through two games, NextGenStats shows Lawrence has produced two quarterback pressures on 66 pass rushes, and none of his seven tackles have been for a loss.

He told The Post, 'I'm getting it when I can. I'm getting a lot of attention — but that happens — and I have to play through that a little better. When my opportunities for one-on-ones come, I have to hone in and take advantage of them. I think that's all it is.'

Lawrence was the NFL’s most-frequently double-teamed player last season, facing double teams on 63.8 percent of his pass rushes, yet he still logged nine sacks in 12 games before suffering a season-ending dislocated elbow. This season, the 6-foot-4, 340-pound veteran is being doubled on about 60.6 percent of his snaps, the fifth-highest rate in the league entering Week 3, according to data tracked by NextGenStats.

The Giants’ emphasis on Lawrence is tied to what he can routinely free up for others in the front seven. While the early numbers show limited sacks and a modest tackle-for-loss total through two games, Lawrence has remained a physical, disruptive presence who opponents must account for on every snap. Coaches and teammates have stressed that his ability to draw attention up front can create opportunities for teammates and pressure from other angles as the defense seeks to stabilize after a rough start to the season. As Week 3 approaches, the expectation inside the building is that Lawrence will begin to translate the attention he attracts into more frequent disruption, with one-on-one opportunities increasing as offenses adjust to his size and power.