Saints Rally for 34-27 Win Over Giants as Tyler Shough Delivers 4 Touchdowns

Q: Will J.J. McCarthy's explosive 243-yard relief performance permanently dethrone Jameis Winston as the Giants' starting quarterback against the Texans?

Not yet, but McCarthy has given the Giants a real reason to consider a change against Houston. John Harbaugh left the door open after Sunday’s 34-27 loss, refusing to guarantee Jameis Winston would keep the job. That matters. Coaches often protect their starter immediately after a game if there is no real debate, and Harbaugh did not do that here. McCarthy’s case is strong on impact, even if the sample was brief. He entered in the fourth quarter, threw for 243 yards, helped fuel 17 straight Giants points, and nearly erased a 34-10 deficit. He also added a key scramble and showed more explosiveness than Winston, who finished 14 of 26 for 152 yards with two interceptions before being benched. Still, “permanently” is too strong based on one relief appearance. McCarthy also threw an interception, and Harbaugh noted that coming into a desperate, pass-heavy situation is different from managing a full game plan for four quarters. The staff is expected to review the film before deciding. The evidence suggests McCarthy has at least moved this from a backup role into a legitimate quarterback competition. If the Giants prioritize upside and momentum, he has a strong chance to start against the Texans. If they value experience and want to give Winston one more week after his uneven but previously productive run, Winston could still hold on. The safest read is that McCarthy has not permanently dethroned Winston yet, but he may have earned the inside track for Week 7.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Oct 18

New Orleans erased a 10-0 late second-quarter deficit, then scored 34 straight points to beat the Giants 34-27 and snap a three-game losing streak.
Tyler Shough accounted for four touchdowns — three passing and one rushing — while Isaiah Stalbird's forced fumble on a kickoff set up the tying score just before halftime.
Martin Emerson's two interceptions and another pick by Julian Blackmon helped the Saints survive despite being outgained 461-319 and nearly blowing a 24-point lead.
J.J. McCarthy threw for 243 yards in relief of Jameis Winston and drove New York to the Saints' 14-yard line, but his fourth-down end-zone pass fell incomplete in the final seconds.
The loss left Giants coach John Harbaugh still weighing his quarterback choice after Winston threw two interceptions, while the Saints head to Paris next to face Pittsburgh.

Sources

CBS Sports3h ago

New Orleans Saints Defeat New York Giants 34-27; Tyler Shough Accounts for 4 Touchdowns

Fox News1d ago

New York Giants QB J.J. McCarthy Rallies Team After Jameis Winston Benched

The New York Times5h ago

J.J. McCarthy Relieves Jameis Winston, Leads Giants Scoring Drives in Saints Loss

14 Sources

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