Pair of Giants still making an impact despite quiet box scores

Through six games, it would seem that three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence and No. 3 overall draft pick Abdul Carter haven't been playing up to standard. Well, that would be the case if you're looking at the box score. 

Going into a Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Lawrence only recorded a single tackle for loss and has yet to get a sack. Lawrence has knocked down two passes and intercepted Justin Herbert in Week 4.

For Carter, he is still waiting for his first full NFL sack, as the Rookie split a sack with Kayvon Thibodeaux during Week 1. Carter also blocked a punt in his first NFL game. 

Coming into the season, the Giants' defensive line was expected to be the focal point of the defense, led by Lawrence. So far this season, the Giants defense has been making plays, but it's coming from a different source. 

Through Week 6, OLB Brian Burns ranks third in the league in sacks with seven, tied for second with nine tackles for a loss and has defended three passes, most amongst outside linebackers. 

Burns has been the driving force of the team's defense with two multi-sack games and a sack in all but one game. With All-Pro caliber stats, Burns has benefited from the attention directed elsewhere. 

Despite a lack of box score appearance, Lawrence is still changing the game. According to PFF, Lawrence is getting double-teamed 71.5 percent of the time, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Lawrence is receiving treatment similar to what Aaron Donald had in his prime. If one player is blocking him, then something is going to happen, whether that be a sack or a tackle behind the line. Teams have learned the only way to stop him, or slow him down, is by using two players. 

With Lawrence occupying two men in the middle, that leaves Thibodeaux, Carter and Burns to take on the remaining offensive lineman. 

It's already been mentioned about Burns' production, but Thibodeaux has recorded 2.5 sacks on the season and has made five tackles behind the line, second on the team. 

Thibodeaux is producing at a typical rate and Burns is performing above the usual standard, two stars benefiting from Lawrence. 

The question now comes to the rookie. Like Lawrence, Carter has yet to get that big sack. The problem for Carter hasn't been getting to the quarterback; it's been getting there in time. 

Carter has the second most amount of blitzes and hurries on the team with 17 and four, respectively, and leads the team with six QB knockdowns. In terms of pressures (Hurries + knockdowns + sacks), Carter ranks second behind Burns with 10.  

Carter is not getting the quarterbacks down, but instead has been pressuring them, forcing them to make an early throw or forcing them to throw on the run. 

Fans want the sacks, the tackles behind the lines, the fumbles and the game-changing plays, but those don't happen every week. Carter is building a baseline of being an impactful player each week. 

The big plays will come. We all saw how skilled Carter was during his junior year at Penn State. What will make the Giants a better team is if Carter can continue to impact the game the way he has.