Williams’ 11.5 bags, who led the team, have been more for a Giants player since Jason Pierre-Paul’s 14.5 in 2014 and were 7.5 more than any of his teammates, 4 , 5 more than his previous best total (in 2016) and 11.0 more than he had in 2019. He was third in the NFL with 30 hitting strikes and drew sixth with 14 tackles for defeat. Williams was fifth in the Giants with 57 tackles (29 solo).
In the last five weeks of the season, Williams was twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
He was honored for the first time after the 17-12 defeat of the Giants over NFC champion West Seahawks in Seattle on December 6. Williams tied his career record with 2.5 sacks – all in the second half – for 25.5 yards and was credited with five of the 10 pressures from Russell Wilson’s giants. In the third quarter, Williams dismissed Wilson for a 15-yard loss to help force a Seattle punt. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Williams joined Jabaal Sheard for a 5-yard sack. And with the Seahawks trying to drive for the green touchdown, Williams dismissed Wilson for a 10-yard loss on the third downhill with 48 seconds remaining, almost ending Seattle’s chances of winning the game.
The NFL again quoted Williams after the Giants’ 23–19 victory against Dallas on January 3. In that game, he had the season’s record of seven tackles (five solo), the best of his career from 3.0 sacks to 20 yards, five quarterback strokes and two critical pressures in the Giants’ 23-19 victory. With 1:53 left, the Cowboys had a first and a goal at the Giants’ 7-yard line when Williams dismissed Andy Dalton for a 10-yard loss. Two moves later, on the third descent of 17, Williams pressured Dalton to launch a pass that floated into the end zone, where newbie safety Xavier McKinney intercepted to save the game.
Williams, the sixth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jets, was acquired by the Giants on October 29, 2019 for a third round selection in the 2020 draft and a fifth round this year.
Williams, 6-5 and £ 302, has played 95 career games, with 87 games for the Jets and Giants. His career total includes 323 tackles (164 solo), 29.0 sacks, 131 quarterback strikes, 48 loss tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, seven defending passes and an interception.