Giants Rookie Romeo Okwara Has Big Game On Sunday Night

In the biggest game of the New York Giants’ season, Romeo Okwara had the breakout performance of his rookie year.

The former Notre Dame defensive end stepped into the role vacated by an injured Jason Pierre-Paul and finished with a team-high eight tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defended and three hits on the quarterback in New York's win over Dallas on Sunday Night Football.

It was the first start of Okwara’s career. Entering Sunday, the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder had just 12 tackles.

Because of the pressure applied by Okwara and the Giants’ defensive line, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott finished just 17-of-37 passing for 165 yards and threw two interceptions.

Okwara’s sack on Prescott in the second quarter was the first of Okwara’s career.

Pierre-Paul is out for the rest of the regular season following surgery to repair a sports core injury. Entering the game, it was assumed that Okwara, Kerry Wynn and Owa Odgihizuwa would all contribute to make up for the loss.

"Romeo is a young guy that was kind of a surprise when he came here. He has got some length, he is a smart football player, high effort guy," Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo told reporters last week. "I think he will give us some productive snaps.”

It was Okwara — who went undrafted but was signed by the Giants as a rookie free agent — who impressed the most among the reserves.

Said NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth: “The New York Giants may have a bit of a breakout star here in Romeo Okwara.”

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