J.J. McCarthy is officially making his first NFL start for the New York Giants this Sunday in Week 7 action against the Houston Texans. This isn’t just a regular changing of the guard, folks. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, McCarthy “has impressed from the moment he entered the building in New York with his attitude and approach.” That’s high praise, and it clearly lit a fire under the coaching staff.
From Relief Pitcher to Starting QB: The Instant Spark
McCarthy’s journey to starter happened fast, proving some guys just have “it.” He got his first significant action for the Giants in Week 6, stepping in for Jameis Winston against the New Orleans Saints. And man, did he make an impact. He helped chip away at a massive 24-point deficit, getting his team within one score of tying the game in the fourth quarter. He finished that quarter going 11-for-21 for 243 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. But here’s the kicker: he also gained 26 yards on two carries. That’s right, his legs were already making plays.
The Legs That Changed Everything for the Giants
The Giants coaching staff didn’t just notice those scramble yards; they saw a whole new dimension for their offense. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported Thursday that McCarthy’s ability to fill in for Jaxson Dart’s absence from the Giants’ run game played a huge role in Coach John Harbaugh’s decision to name him the Week 7 starter. Duggan said, “It was immediately evident that the coaching staff viewed McCarthy’s legs as an asset.” They weren’t messing around either. Even while he was still cramming to learn the playbook, the coaches were already installing quarterback-run packages specifically for McCarthy. How’s that for confidence in a guy who just walked in the door?
A Brutal First Test in Houston
Now comes the real challenge. McCarthy is about to unleash those new run packages against one of the toughest run defenses in the entire league. The Houston Texans have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards against in the NFL so far this season, even with their 2-4 start. This is not some cupcake opponent for his first career start. The Giants and Texans are set to kick off their Week 7 matchup at 1 p.m. ET in Houston. Can McCarthy’s new attitude and unexpected running threat overcome one of the league’s stingiest fronts? Sunday is going to be a huge indicator of what kind of player the Giants really have.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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