Giants Name J.J. McCarthy Their Starter After Benching Jameis Winston
Update: John Harbaugh named J.J. McCarthy the starter for Sunday at Houston and 'for the foreseeable future,' with Jameis Winston moving back to backup.
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh pulled Jameis Winston after his second interception early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against New Orleans, with the Giants trailing 34-10. J.J. McCarthy, acquired from Minnesota three weeks ago, led three scoring drives before his last throw, a fourth-down pass to Isaiah Likely, sailed out of the end zone with under 20 seconds left in a 34-27 loss.
How did McCarthy play?
He went 11 of 21 for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception and led the team with 26 rushing yards. According to ESPN Research, his 243 fourth-quarter passing yards were the second most by a quarterback who did not start a game in the past 25 seasons, behind Sage Rosenfels' 249 in 2007. Harbaugh called the switch "desperation time." Winston finished 14 of 26 for 152 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, his first loss in four starts.
Who starts next week?
Undecided. "Can't answer that now," Harbaugh said, adding that he has "no problem with Jameis whatsoever." Winston said the decision is Harbaugh's and that he wants to "put myself in a better position to execute." The 3-2-1 Giants still lead the NFC East and visit Houston in Week 7.
Why didn't Cam Skattebo carry the ball?
Harbaugh said it was "not by design," with the backs splitting first-half reps while the staff looked for a hot hand. Skattebo, benched for an overtime fumble against Washington the week before, has fumbled four times this season and played six snaps against the Saints. "I was punished," he said of the fumbles.
Has a starter been named?
Not as of Wednesday morning. Harbaugh said Monday the team is honing in on the decision, which is expected before the first practice of the week. Winston is 2-1-1 as the starter.
Who starts now?
McCarthy. Harbaugh told the quarterbacks in one-on-one meetings Tuesday and announced it Wednesday: "It was pretty evident to me, self-evident, that it was the right time," he said, calling it "what gives us the best chance to win the football game at this given time." McCarthy is the starter for the foreseeable future. Winston, who signed a two-year, $13 million extension before the season to be the backup, had seven touchdown passes and five interceptions in four starts.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: McCarthy nearly rallies Giants after Winston benched; Skattebo logs no carries
- ESPN: John Harbaugh - Giants 'honing in on' QB decision for Week 7
- ESPN: Giants to start McCarthy over Winston at QB against Texans
New York Giants betting odds
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