J.J. McCarthy leads Giants to overtime win over Texans in first start

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, acquired from Minnesota last month, won his first start for the New York Giants as they beat the Houston Texans 27-21 in overtime and improved to 4-2-1.

J.J. McCarthy won his first start for the New York Giants on Sunday, leading four scoring drives in a 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans. The Giants improved to 4-2-1 heading into their bye week, while Houston fell to 2-5.

McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Devin Singletary's 30-yard run won it in overtime after Houston tied the game with 52 seconds left in regulation; Cam Skattebo's 16-yard run had given New York a 21-14 lead.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy in January 2024

McCarthy, who won a national championship at Michigan and was a first-round pick in 2024, had fallen to third string in Minnesota before the Vikings traded him to the Giants on Sept. 28 for a 2027 fifth-round pick. He replaced Jameis Winston during a comeback attempt against New Orleans a week earlier, and coach John Harbaugh then named him the starter.

Harbaugh praised McCarthy's steady play and his career comeback. McCarthy said his only focus was going "1-0."