J.J. McCarthy is getting the nod for the New York Giants in Week 7.
According to NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler, the Giants plan to start McCarthy this Sunday against the Houston Texans after he flashed in limited action on Sunday. The move comes only a few weeks after New York lost starter Jaxson Dart to season-ending knee surgery, and with Jameis Winston already on the roster, the Giants now turn to McCarthy to handle the job.
McCarthy didn’t need much time to make an impression. He entered in the fourth quarter for Winston with the Giants trailing 34-10, a spot that looked like pure cleanup duty.
Instead, he nearly dragged New York all the way back. In just 11 minutes, McCarthy helped spark two touchdowns and a field goal, enough to make the Saints sweat before the comeback fell short.
The stat line jumped off the page, too. McCarthy finished 11-for-21 for 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while also running twice for 26 yards. In a game where he barely had time to settle in, he wound up as the leading passer of the day between the two teams.
Now comes a much tougher assignment. McCarthy’s first start since January 4 of this year with the Minnesota Vikings - when he led them to a 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers - will come against a Texans defense that brings more heat than the Saints did.
Houston has Will Anderson coming after quarterbacks, and the numbers say this group can create problems even if the results haven’t always matched the hype. The Texans are giving up 329 yards per game and 26.4 points, but they’re also tied to a pass rush that has produced 18 sacks, good for fourth in the league.
That makes this a real test for McCarthy, but it also gives the Giants a full week to prepare him with starter reps. He’s expected to be challenged, and there’s no promise this will be smooth.
Still, if McCarthy can keep New York moving in the right direction, the Giants remain firmly in the playoff picture. The NFC East is a mess, and with the Giants sitting in first place in the division, a steady run from McCarthy could put him in position to reach the playoffs for the first time in his career.
In Other News...
Michigan Still Has One Big Lineup Concern Ahead Of Indiana
Michigans third availability report for its upcoming game against Indiana brought no new changes, but it did reinforce the same concern that has been hanging over the week: the offensive line is still not where the Wolverines want it to be. Several players remain listed across the out, questionable and probable categories, leaving the front five as the biggest area to watch heading into the matchup.
There was at least a bit of encouraging news elsewhere on the injury front, with Kyle Whittingham saying safety Rod Moores issue is minor and not expected to keep him out long. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola also appears to be nearing a return, which would help, but Michigan is still waiting for the line to look settled before kicking off against Indiana. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Wont Believe The Flag That Helped Indiana Score
A controversial roughing-the-passer flag on Michigan freshman Tariq Boney became one of the early turning points in the game between No. 6 Indiana and Michigan, handing the Hoosiers 15 yards and a fresh set of downs after contact with quarterback Josh Hoover. The penalty kept Indiana's drive alive and helped it build an early lead, turning what looked like a routine defensive play into an immediate source of frustration for the Wolverines sideline and their fans.
Fox analyst Joel Klatt didnt hide his displeasure with the ruling as the game unfolded, calling out the officiating on air in real time. And with roughing calls already drawing attention in recent games, the flag fit neatly into a bigger conversation about how these plays are being judged, even if Michigan had little choice but to move on and keep playing. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Red Zone Frustration Just Put Jason Beck Under Fire
Michigans 13-6 loss to No. 6 Indiana was the kind of game that left the offense searching for answers on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines managed only 224 total yards, never found much rhythm on the ground, and had too many empty trips after moving the ball far enough to at least threaten. Kicker Trey Butkowski also missed two kicks, which only added to a night when Michigan couldnt afford to waste chances.
The pressure now turns toward offensive coordinator Jason Beck after a questionable play call drew attention from Kyle Whittingham, who said he took responsibility for the decision and its impact on the game. For a Michigan team that needs cleaner execution and better protection of possession moving forward, the margin for error is getting thinner. The next few games will show whether this was a one-off misstep or a sign the offense still has work to do before it can be trusted in tight spots. [Read more 🡒]