The New York Giants have not settled on a starting quarterback for Sunday’s road game against the Houston Texans, with coach John Harbaugh weighing whether to stay with veteran Jameis Winston or turn to recently acquired J.J. McCarthy.
Harbaugh said Monday that the staff was still narrowing its choice after McCarthy entered in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 34-27 Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints and sparked a late rally.
“We’re still evaluating it and getting closer to a decision,” Harbaugh said. “The priority is giving ourselves the strongest opportunity to win, move the chains, put points on the board and avoid turnovers.”
McCarthy provides late spark against Saints
McCarthy replaced Winston after the veteran threw his second interception of the afternoon. The Giants trailed by 24 points when McCarthy took over, but he directed three scoring possessions and brought New York within one touchdown before time expired.
In his first major action since arriving from the Minnesota Vikings in a September trade, McCarthy completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Every one of those attempts came in the fourth quarter.
The third-year quarterback also attacked downfield throughout the comeback. His 14.9 air yards per attempt and 17.2 air yards per completion led all quarterbacks with at least 20 dropbacks in a game this season.
Winston, making his fourth start since Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury, completed 14 of 26 throws for 152 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against New Orleans.
For the season, Winston has gone 90-for-158, a 57.0 percent completion rate, for 957 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions. The Giants are 2-1-1 in his starts.
Harbaugh weighing continuity and offensive fit
Harbaugh had said immediately after Sunday’s game that he was not considering a quarterback switch and expressed support for Winston. A day later, he left the situation open as New York prepares for Houston.
“Jameis has been excellent in a lot of respects,” Harbaugh said. “I have a lot of respect for what he has done. He has helped us win and has made the plays needed in those victories.”
Harbaugh also noted that McCarthy is still learning a system after joining the roster only weeks ago.
“J.J. arrived recently, and we’re building an offense that he understands and can operate comfortably,” Harbaugh said. “Those are all parts of the evaluation.”
The coach said the Giants’ circumstances differ from a typical quarterback competition because the team’s original starter is unavailable.
“If the quarterback who opened the season for us were still playing, these discussions would not be happening,” Harbaugh said. “There is naturally a little more flexibility in a situation like this.”
Practice work beginning Wednesday could offer a clearer indication of the Giants’ direction. New York remains atop its division at 3-2-1 and will face the 2-4 Texans in Houston on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
