Overview
- With the Giants trailing the Saints, coach John Harbaugh replaced starter Jameis Winston with J.J. McCarthy late in the fourth quarter on Sunday and McCarthy led three scoring drives to cut the deficit to seven.
- McCarthy finished with 243 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in just over 11 minutes of game time while Winston had 14-of-26 for 152 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before being pulled.
- McCarthy was acquired from the Vikings on Sept. 28 for a reported 2027 fifth-round pick and has been used sparingly in tailored packages before his extended relief appearance.
- Harbaugh declined to name a Week 7 starter, saying the decision will be based on performance and that it was too soon to make a change 10 minutes after the game.
- Dart’s season-ending knee injury forced the Giants to rely on veterans and a low-cost trade for McCarthy, and the near-comeback raises the real possibility of a short-term shift in roster plans and play style that will affect how New York prepares for the Texans next week.