5 things we learned in Week 17 win over Colts

2. Nabers, Tracy make history

Wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. etched their names in the NFL record books against the Colts. Nabers caught seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, while Tracy totaled 73 yards of offense (59 rushing, 14 receiving). These performances brought both first-year players to over 1,000 yards of offense on the season, as Nabers currently sits at 1,142 yards and Tracy at 1,057.

Nabers and Tracy became the third rookie duo in NFL history, and only the second since the 1970 merger, to each have 1,000 yards from scrimmage. In 1960, the American Football League’s Dallas Texans – who later became the Kansas City Chiefs – had Abner Haynes (1,451 yards) and Johnny Robinson (1,069) reach the 1K mark, while the 2006 New Orleans Saints had Reggie Bush (1,307) and Marques Colston (1,038) top 1,000 yards, as well. Nabers and Tracy rank third and fourth, respectively, among all rookies in Giants history, trailing only Saquon Barkley (2,028 in 2018) and Beckham (1,340 in 2014).

“It’s kudos to him and me that we came out here, come out there in practice, do our job and then come in the game and contribute to help the team win, and do as much as possible so we can win,” Nabers said. “Seeing Tyrone go out every day at practice and do the things that he do, it’s amazing. Me and him have been uplifting each other through the season. We had stuff at the beginning of the season that didn’t go our way, but we stayed down with each other, uplifted each other and it’s paying off.”

“To me personally, that means a lot,” Tracy added. “When put a lot of work into something and you see that you are reaping the benefits of it, it feels really good and then for him [Malik Nabers], I know he works hard, I see it for myself. To see him have success and the way he is having success, and he missed a couple of games this season, it’s just remarkable. I think God puts certain people in certain situations and gives them certain opportunities and I just think that we are here for a reason, I really do. I believe that we are here for a reason and I think that this is just the beginning of something special. I’m just blessed to be here and part of this organization.”

Nabers is currently tied for the third-most receptions in the NFL this season with 104, while his 1,140 receiving yards rank seventh. Tracy ranks third among all rookies in rushing yards (780) and fifth in yards from scrimmage, while Nabers comes in one spot ahead of him in the latter. The two rookies have played significant roles in the Giants’ offense this season, as the leading rusher and receiver, and head into Week 18 tied with a team-high six touchdowns apiece.

“I think between him and Tracy, for those guys to do it in a season like this with a variety of quarterbacks, I think that’s pretty impressive. They are the right kind of guys,” Daboll said about the two first-year players.