JJ McCarthy, Giants beat Texans in overtime

Going into Sunday, nobody was sure who would even start at quarterback for the Giants. The betting shows had to wait for the morning announcement, and they did not expect much from it.

VSiN

@UCTZVetvz6GVreC_N4fp92VA

“McCarthy will throw an interception against the Texans though. JJ McCarthy is your starter.”

0:43

He didn't throw an interception. Houston kicked a field goal first, but McCarthy started by completing everything short and on time. By the middle of the 1st quarter the Barstool accounts were already treating number 18 like a cult hero, and soon after that he hit Malik Nabers to set up the Tracy touchdown that put New York on the board.

Barstool Sports

@barstoolsports

EIGHTEEN TIME

From there it was the kind of game Giants fans have to earn. Regulation finished 21-21. Cam Skattebo had a career-high 124 rushing yards, a week after getting zero touches against the Saints. The defense held the Texans to 153 passing yards, and Deonte Banks kept Nico Collins quiet all afternoon.

In overtime, McCarthy hit Nabers for 9 yards and Skattebo ripped off 42 more to the Houston 30. The Giants were just trying to center the ball for a field goal. They called a draw for Singletary, the former Texan, and he went the whole 30 yards untouched against his old team. Game over.

Barstool Gambling

@stoolgambling

SINGLETARY WALKS IT OFF GIANTS WIN

The fan reactions came in right after. McCarthy's final line was 20-of-28, 252 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers. Nabers had 7 catches for 111 yards, his 4th straight 100-yard game. Giants fans had the whole thing summed up within 15 minutes of the final whistle, and they invented a new nickname for the team on top of it.

Unbiased Ev

@DoubleVodkaDon

JJ McCarthy played a GREAT game today. Giants played bully ball. Skattebo was a monster. Singletary with the walk off. Defense played awesome. What a win. This Giants team is legit good. 4-2-1 and first in the NFC East heading into the bye week. The FIGHTING JOHN HARBAUGHS!

Then there's the head-to-head stat, which is mostly a fun coincidence but still a great one. McCarthy has a long history against CJ Stroud going back to the Michigan vs. Ohio State games, and Sunday added one more win to it.

Barstool Gambling

@stoolgambling

JJ McCarthy is a PERFECT 3-0 against CJ Stroud in his CFB and NFL career

The Giants now get a week off at 4-2-1, alone in 1st place in the NFC East with a 2.5-game lead. That is not where anyone expected this team to be in late October. The question after the bye is whether McCarthy keeps the job. Based on one clean start in Houston, it's hard to argue he shouldn't.