The New York Giants were down 34-10 to the New Orleans Saints with 11:31 left in the game when they turned to backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Jameis Winston had just thrown his second interception, and the Giants’ offense was lifeless. McCarthy entered the game and threw an interception on a miscue to Malachi Fields (88):
Fields was pivoting outward—a common route concept used by Matt Nagy—and
McCarthy thought the rookie receiver would sit in the vacated window left by Pete Werner (20), who matched Devin Singletary’s flare route to the flat. The ball hit Martin Emerson Jr. (22) in the numbers.
The game seemed all but over. Kellen Moore put Spencer Rattler into the game, but Jason Pinnock forced a fumble that was recovered by star rookie Arvell Reese, giving McCarthy the football back at midfield. McCarthy would lead a six-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in a 5-yard Tyrone Tracy Jr. touchdown, followed by a 2-point conversion to Isaiah Likely. This drive made the score 34-18 with seven minutes left in the game. The drive was highlighted by the throw below:
Q4, 8:24: First-and-10
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The Saints ran quarter, quarter, half (Cover-6) against an 11 personnel clearout concept with a deep post from Fields with two deep crossing patterns from Charlie Jones (89) and Malik Nabers (1), with Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) and Isaiah Likely (9) releasing to hold the middle hook defenders after helping in protection.
The middle quarter defender, Julian Blackmon (23), carried Jones’ cross to the hash before transitioning off to Nabers underneath, but by that point, Blackmon was out-leveraged. The throw was hard and direct — it could have used more touch — and it forced Nabers to make a miraculous adjustment to secure the pass from the far-hash.
An ideal throw with touch outside the numbers may have led to a touchdown, given how the Saints reacted to the passing concept. Still, McCarthy recognized the vulnerability and attacked for a 27-yard gain that set up Tracy’s touchdown. McCarthy also had a great pocket.
Q4, 5:54: First-and-10
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
The Giants forced a three-and-out, giving New York the ball back down 34-18. On the first play of the drive, McCarthy saw the Cover-3 look and gave Jones a chance against deep third defender Quincy Riley (29). New York ran two inside-leaning vertical routes to isolate the outside deep thirds in a one-on-one matchup. Blackmon — the middle-of-the-field-closed safety — followed Nabers over the top on his deep horizontal cross toward Fields, so McCarthy let it rip.
McCarthy may not have made this throw in a neutral game script, but it made sense down multiple scores late in the fourth quarter. The ball was underthrown and identified by Riley, but the Saints’ cornerback knocked it into the air, and Jones somehow secured it for a 49-yard gain.
Q4, 5:11: Second-and-10
Emerson Jr. almost came away with his third interception of the game on a well-defended play against Fields on first down; the ball hit the turf. McCarthy responded well by trusting his star tight end to make a play:
via GIPHY
The Giants were in shotgun 2×2, 11-personnel, with Nabers and Likely on the same side. Nabers ran a quick curl, which forced Likely’s defender to cover the deep third, as Jones and Fields ran deep dig routes to hold the center-field safety in place; Likely was isolated against safety Justin Reid (21), who had outside leverage, and the inside help was preoccupied with Jones and Fields, while Emerson was with Nabers on the numbers.
McCarthy does an excellent job putting the ball high and inside, away from the defensive leverage, letting the tight end maximize his catch radius and secure the ball. This was a very difficult catch to make, but Likely secures it through contact.
Q4, 3:29: First-and-15
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
The Giants were in shotgun — 12 personnel — from a 3×1 nub set with Thomas Fidone II (86) as the nub. Likely was the No. 3 to the far side, and he ran a deep horizontal crosser against Cover-4. Nabers ran up the seam to split the deep-fourth safeties, and he did an excellent job turning the hips of Blackmon with an excellent route where he leaned outward and exploded back to the inside. Fields ran a deep dig underneath the clearouts, and McCarthy had his eye on the isolated Nabers.
Plays like these are exactly why McCarthy was drafted so high; not only did he step up and avoid the rush, comfortably setting his feet in a clean pocket, but he kept his eyes downfield and delivered an absolute strike that hit Nabers outside and away from Blackmon. The play design ensured that Reid would not be able to get outside his hash to help Blackmon out with the coverage. A great job by Nabers, McCarthy, the offensive line, and the Giants coaching staff to secure 49 yards.
Q4, :40: Second-and-10
The Giants got the ball back with :57 left in the game, needing a touchdown. McCarthy scrambled for 28 yards, threw an incomplete pass, and then had this 20-yard completion to Likely with :40 left in the game. Again, 12 personnel nub with Likely as the No. 3 and Nabers as the No. 2. Nabers ran a deep corner; Fields on the outside ran a dig to replace what may have been vacated due to Likely’s horizontal crossing route.
The Saints were in Cover-6, and Likely’s dig was to the half-field side. McCarthy used touch — something he doesn’t use consistently — to perfectly layer the throw over the middle hook defender. This is a high-level throw, and one that was inches away from being tipped by Werner. McCarthy threw this in a very high-level situation and gave the Giants a realistic shot to pull off the improbable comeback.
Final thoughts
McCarthy has now sparked questions about when he should be the starting quarterback for the Giants. The velocity and how the ball jumps out of his hand are undeniable.
Is he perfect? No. Did he have mistakes? Yes. Would this have happened in a neutral game script? I don’t know! Still, was this an impressive performance? Of course it was! McCarthy will likely start sooner rather than later, and he’ll provide the Giants with an element that Jameis Winston can’t — mobility. McCarthy performed well, but it was just a little too late for the Giants.
