JJ McCarthy’s first start for the New York Giants ended with a road win, an overtime celebration, and a message from the person who may have enjoyed it most.
After the Giants pulled out a 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans, McCarthy’s wife, Katya McCarthy, took to her Instagram Stories with a simple post: “God, I love you. So deserving” She paired the message with an NFL video clip of McCarthy celebrating Devin Singletary’s game-winning overtime touchdown.
It was a fitting snapshot of a night that looked a lot different from where McCarthy’s career seemed headed not long ago. The Vikings moved on from him after 10 starts following his selection in the first round of the 2024 draft, and his future had been in serious doubt before the Giants gave him another shot.
He earned the opportunity by thriving in relief of Jameis Winston last week, then made the most of it in his first career start for New York. McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but he kept the Giants moving and helped them control the flow of the game.
The win pushed New York to 4-2-1 heading into its Week 8 bye.
McCarthy, who married his high school sweetheart Katya Kuropas earlier this year, has been with her since high school. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Rome, in 2025.
For a Giants team that has spent the season trying to find its footing, the result turned what once looked like a lost year into one that now has a different feel entirely.
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Giants Rookie Cam Skattebo Is Already At Center Of A Flag Debate
A late-third-quarter tie between the Giants and Texans already had the feel of a physical game, and rookie running back Cam Skattebo ended up right in the middle of it. After a hard run, officials flagged him for unnecessary roughness, saying he lowered his head and initiated contact with a defender, a judgment that instantly drew attention in a matchup where every yard was being fought over.
Giants coach John Harbaugh was among those who pushed back on the call, and former NFL players Jacob Hester and Scott Shanle also publicly criticized it. Skattebo was expected to be fined for the penalty, adding another layer to a night that had already turned into a talking point beyond the scoreboard, even with his production limited to 38 yards on 11 carries at that stage. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A WR Concern Heading Into The Bye
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Noel was reportedly in a walking boot afterward, which is never a welcome sight this time of year, especially with a break in the schedule offering both relief and uncertainty. The bye gives the Texans a little extra time to sort out the injury, but it also leaves one more question hanging over a group that could use some stability on the perimeter. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Head Into Bye Week With One Problem They Cant Ignore
The Texans walked into their bye week carrying more than just a 2-5 record after a 27-21 loss at home to the Giants. What stood out most was how often the defense got pushed back, giving up more than 400 yards and surrendering multiple big plays while the offense never found enough margin to cover for it. Ten penalties for 80 yards only added to a night that felt out of rhythm from start to finish.
A week off now gives Houston time to sort through what went wrong and whether the answer requires changes to the defensive personnel or simply a sharper overall performance. The larger concern is that this was not just a close loss, but one that exposed recurring issues the Texans can no longer afford to let linger if they want to steady their season. [Read more 🡒]