Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants are feeding on doubt

Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York Giants shocked the NFL world last season, and it looks like a repeat is on for 2023.

The former Oregon Ducks star joined the Giants last season, and instantly became a fan favorite. He bursted onto the scene as New York roared off to a 6-1 start on the season, one in which many believed they would be contending for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Instead, the Giants made the playoffs, and defeated the champions of the NFC North in the Minnesota Vikings, becoming one of the final four teams remaining in the NFC. While they fell hard to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round, nobody expected the Giants to be there anyways.

Usually, an unexpected, successful season like Thibodeaux’s Giants had in 2022 would expand expectations for 2023, with designs on at least making the NFC Divisional Round once again for the next season. Instead, due in large part to the difficult NFC East and a tough schedule, many are expecting the Giants to falter this season.

That’s no sweat for Thibodeaux and company though. The young star pass rusher believes the underdog role is one that fits him and his teammates, and they’re ready to take the league by storm once again.

“I mean, it’s been good for me. I like to lay low,” Thibodeaux told NFL Network. “I’m happy that people are counting us out, cause that gives us more time to just work. We don’t have to answer those questions. We don’t have to worry about everybody looking at us. We can just keep our head down and grind.

“I think you know, we love being the underdogs, cause that always gives us that story, that momentum to really work and really go after what we want.”

In the past, the Giants have thrived off the underdog role. The famously defeated the 18-0 New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, and then won another ring after going 9-7 on the season four years later. Being the underdog hasn’t hindered their success one bit, at least not historically.

Perhaps another wild, underdog run is in store for the Giants. Kayvon Thibodeaux certainly believes it’s possible. It remains to be seen, but the smart money is on not doubting New York in 2023.