So, is this now Brian Burns’ defense? “That’s how I’m kinda looking at it,’’ Burns said Tuesday night. “It’s kind of a nod to what I’ve done and the success that I’ve had, but I don’t take that lightly at all, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.’’ The Giants defense no longer has Dexter Lawrence anchoring the middle of the line, and that turn of events caused Burns a measure of consternation. Back on April 15, he told The Post, “Speaking for me, the Giants ain’t the Giants without No. 97 in the middle. That’s my boy. I don’t want to play this season or any other season without him.’’ Burns forced a smile when reminded of that comment. Five days after he said it, the Giants traded Lawrence to the Bengals. Burns will play this season without him. “Man, I’ve been in this league long enough to understand ‘next man up’ whenever somebody leaves,’’ Burns said. “I was just really going to bat for my teammate. “He made a decision. It already happened. We kinda got to live with it.…