The New York Giants started the J.J. McCarthy era won Sunday with a 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans. New York’s defense played phenomenally, forcing four three-and-outs, including on the Texans’ first overtime possession. Tae Banks shut down Nico Collins, and Dennard Wilson called a more conservative game, with a lot of two-high looks, but he was judicious in bringing the pressure, which did harass C.J. Stroud.
Quarterback
McCarthy started the game HOT with two 40+ yard completions; one was a dime
to Malik Nabers on a back shoulder throw, and the other was an excellent catch-and-run by rookie Malachi Fields on a well-placed out route. McCarthy and Fields had a real connection, as the Texans focused on Isaiah Likely and Malik Nabers.
McCarthy did not have to use his legs, but its presence helped the run game. McCarthy looked in control, had command, and made several high-level throws. He finished 20 of 28 for 252 yards, while taking three sacks. An excellent first start for the young quarterback. Also, great job by Jameis Winston on the sneaks.
Grade: A+
Running back
The Giants’ rushing attack exploded against Houston, capped off by a 42-yard and 30-yard run by Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary to secure the victory in overtime.
To no one’s surprise, Skattebo played with energy and physicality; so much so that he was flagged for a personal foul for lowering his helmet after completely annihilating a Texans’ safety on an 8-yard run. Skattebo found the end zone again and the Giants’ rushing attack looked better against a tough run defense in Houston.
Skattebo finished with his first 100-yard rushing game of his career. He averaged 7.3 YPC with 124 yards with a touchdown. Singletary rushed five times for 41 yards with the game-winning touchdown, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. left the game with a hamstring injury in the first half. The running backs had a poor season so far, but they get an A+ for today’s response and effort.
Grade: A+
Wide receiver
Malik Nabers went north of 100 yards AGAIN with seven catches for 111 yards, including a nice back shoulder 42-yard snap on the Giants’ opening drive. Darnell Mooney caught one target for 4 yards and continues to get nailed every time the ball is thrown in his direction. He also picked up a fourth-down end around that went for three yards.
Malachi Fields had an elite catch-and-run on an out route. He took the pass 47 yards downfield to help set up a long Zvada field goal attempt that was missed. Fields had his best game as a professional. Fields finished with four catches for 83 yards.
Grade: A-
Tight end
Isaiah Likely was held in check by the Texans’ defense, and it appeared like he was playing injured for much of the second half. Likely got up slowly a few times and looked to be hobbling, but he gutted it out. Thomas Fidone II got involved with an impressive TE leak play that went for 29 yards and nearly scored. Chris Manhertz threw his great blocks, per usual.
Grade: B+
Offensive line
The Giants were much better blocking up front. Cam Skattebo had multiple long runs, and the hole in overtime was MASSIVE on Skattebo’s 42 yard run. McCarthy had time in the pocket and the run game was able to get going, which, to be fair, can also be attributed to McCarthy keeping the defense honest with the zone read. However, the return of Jermaine Eleumunor was much needed. Andrew Thomas did surrender a sack to Danielle Hunter, but that’s good on good.
New York averaged 5.5 yards per carry. There were holes for the Giants’ backs to hit, and the pass protection remained solid, despite three sacks surrendered. A great bounce-back game for the line.
Grade: A
Defensive line
D.J. Reader has been sensational through seven games, and he continues to be a dominant run defender, as well as adding some interior pass-rushing juice, which was most on display when he hit C.J. Stroud with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, forcing an incomplete pass. Houston’s struggles on the ground continued, as they averaged just 3.5 YPC. New York did an excellent job forcing Houston to become one-dimensional.
Grade: A+
Edge
Although Abdul Carter had a few run-block losses, his consistent pressure drew two penalties and forced Stroud to maneuver in the pocket. One penalty was in overtime on an incomplete pass. Trace Ford played more after the release of Jihad Ward, and he looked solid from my vantage point. Kayvon Thibodeaux had a few stops in the run game, along with at least one pressure. Thibodeaux also did a great job covering Stroud on the Philly Special with a minute left in the game. Thibodeaux almost secured his first interception in overtime, but he dropped it.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
Arvell Reese was flying around the field making plays, per usual. He blew up a few screen passes near the line of scrimmage and continues to be an asset for the Giants. Tremaine Edmunds was placed on I.R. over the weekend, and Micah McFadden looked adequate in relief of the offseason addition. He recorded a few STOPs at the line of scrimmage and looked solid in run support. McFadden was in the area code of Harrison Jr. on the new Texans’ receiver, but the route concept isolated the linebacker in zone against the former Cardinal.
Grade: B+
Cornerback
Tae Banks SHUT DOWN Nico Collins. Dennard Wilson called MEG (man everywhere he goes) on several zone plays, and Banks answered the call. His redemption arc continues to be an excellent storyline this season. Banks was outleveraged on the Xavier Hutchinson end around and he had at least one other missed tackle. Still, elite job in coverage.
Marvin Harrison Jr. was not seen until his late touchdown in the first half, as the Texans offense looked sloppy and unprepared for much of the first half, but that was scored up the seam, near McFadden.
Paulson Adebo was activated off injured reserve, and he looked fine. Dru Phillips, however, was not the elite pass rusher he’s become over the last two weeks, but he did regress to his grabby self in coverage. He took a defensive holding penalty and was called for pass interference.
Grade: A
Safety
Jason Pinnock briefly left the game but did return. Ar’Darius Washington took a pass interference penalty on a pass to Nico Collins. Washington did, however, look good in run support, making tackles in the alley near the line of scrimmage.
Grade: B
Special teams
Dominic Zvada missed a 58-yard field goal in the first quarter that would have given the Giants a touchdown lead. Zvada then missed a 44-yard field goal that would have given the Giants a 17-14 lead at halftime. The shakiness of the rookie kicker is more than evident at this point and changes must be considered.
Jordan Stout flipped the field after the Giants went three-and-out at the start of the second quarter. He booted the football 62 yards. Stout’s second punt only netted 23 yards after McCarthy took a sack, knocking the Giants out of Zvada FG range; it was a makeable kick, but the rookie had already missed two. Stout pinned the Texans down at the 14 yard line. Would like a better kick, but it’s difficult to really hold Stout’s feet to the fire when the decision was made because of Zvada’s ineffectiveness. Nevertheless, it’s all special teams.
Tank Dell had a 14-yard return after Stout punted the ball 48 yards from his own goal line. Houston started their drive in plus territory with just over five minutes to go, down by seven. The Giants gained just 17 yards on their kick return with 46 seconds left in the game, giving McCarthy the football at the 20-yard line. The special teams weren’t too special against the Texans.
Grade: D
