After a 20-17 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, New York Giants had a long flight home to contemplate everything that went wrong in their 2024 season. Big Blue is 2-8 and on pace for another top-10 draft pick, so it might be time to focus over the year 2025 and beyond. One unexpected reason that emerged in Week 10 was the strong performance of offensive lineman Evan Neal, who spent most of the season on the bench.

Neal had the Giants’ highest grade on offense at 80.6%, per Professional football Focus — the highest of his career. Most of his grade was supported by his strong run-blocking performance, in which Neal received a grade of 93.4%and in 42 pass blocking games he allowed just one pressure on quarterback Daniel Jones. The running game proved to be the only way the Giants were able to score touchdowns against Carolina, and Neal made a solid second-level block that set up running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. for a touchdown run of 32 meters.