Overview
- The Giants replaced starter Jameis Winston with J.J. McCarthy late in the fourth quarter on Sunday and lost 34-27 after McCarthy nearly erased a 24-point deficit.
- McCarthy finished 11-of-21 for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception and added 26 rushing yards while leading the Giants to 17 fourth-quarter points.
- McCarthy threw an interception on his first series, highlighting the turnover risk that has dogged both him and Winston during recent games.
- New York acquired McCarthy from the Vikings on Sept. 28 for a 2027 fifth-round pick as low-cost depth after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.
- Head coach John Harbaugh signaled caution about starting McCarthy full time, but the relief performance materially accelerates the team’s short-term quarterback evaluation and raises the question of who will start the next game.