The New York Giants head to Houston on Sunday with a quarterback question still hanging over the week. John Harbaugh said Monday the team has not settled on a starter for the matchup with the Texans, leaving Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy as the names in play.
“We’re working through that now. Honing in on a decision,” Harbaugh said via Zoom.
New York enters Week 7 at 3-2-1 and sits atop a shaky NFC East, but the last two weeks have taken some of the shine off that start. The Giants tied the Washington Commanders and then dropped a 34-27 decision to the New Orleans Saints.
In that loss, New York had control early before a Charlie Jones fumble helped swing things in the third quarter. McCarthy finished the game at quarterback and pushed the Giants close to a comeback, but they ran out of time.
Houston, meanwhile, is 2-4 after a rough 0-4 start that suddenly looks a lot less bleak. The Texans have won their last two, beating the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The betting picture has also shifted. FanDuel Sportsbook had the Giants as 9.5-point underdogs as of Tuesday afternoon, while the opening line listed them as 7.5-point dogs on the road.
These teams haven’t seen each other since November 2022, when the Giants won 24-16. Sunday’s game at Reliant Stadium in Houston kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, and it will be New York’s last game before the bye week.
In Other News...
Giants Face A Defining Roster Decision As QB Change Begins
With J.J. McCarthy set to make his first start of the week against the Texans, the Giants are entering a stretch where every roster decision feels a little louder than usual. The quarterback switch gives the team a fresh look heading into Week 7, but it also keeps the focus on a group still trying to sort out its depth and identity after moving on from running back Najee Harris.
Paulson Adebos return from injured reserve adds another layer to that picture, especially with the cornerback practicing in a limited capacity after a knee injury. Even as the Giants work through the immediate demands of the new quarterback setup, there is still plenty of attention on how the roster may evolve around him, with the front office facing questions about whether more changes could be coming. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Trade Deadline Picture Suddenly Includes One Surprising Name
The Giants head into the trade deadline in a strange spot, sitting atop the division while still dealing with the kind of injury issues that can change a rosters direction in a hurry. That has opened the door to some unexpected names surfacing in the conversation, including Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cam Skattebo, as the front office weighs whether to hold steady or listen if the right offer comes along.
Jameis Winston is the one who really adds a jolt to the discussion, because his situation suggests a role that no longer looks as stable as it once did. Add in the fact that the Giants are trying to balance short-term competitiveness with longer-term roster value, and deadline chatter around a player like Winston feels like the sort of thing that could move quickly if the market develops the right way. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Need Answers From Trace Ford
Trace Fords path to a bigger opportunity with the Giants has opened quickly, and it comes at a time when the team is trying to piece together its edge-rush rotation. New York brought Ford up from the practice squad to the active roster while moving on from Jihad Ward, a roster shuffle that signals the club wants a better look at what Ford can offer beyond spot duty.
Ford has appeared in three games, with seven tackles and no starts or sacks, so the next step is less about projecting production and more about finding out whether he can handle a more defined role on passing downs. With the Giants dealing with injuries around the edge, the evaluation matters now, and Ford suddenly has a chance to show whether he can be part of the answer rather than just an emergency add. [Read more 🡒]