There’s nothing like breaking a long streak of futility. Sometimes it’s a world championship drought, and sometimes it’s as simple as a 13-year losing streak in your opponent’s house.
The New York Giants won Sunday in Philadelphia for the first time since “Frozen” was released in theaters. And somehow, despite injuries up and down the roster, Big Blue is now firmly in charge of the NFC East.
Advertisement
The Giants’ resurgence coincides with the career renaissance of JJ McCarthy, who recovered from an apparent hip injury to lead New York to a 19-11 victory. It wasn’t pretty, and it’s not a graceful resurgence — less “birds of prey taking flight” and more “baby deer rising” — but when you’re a member of the NFC East, you can limp along. path to a division title.
McCarthy could follow in the footsteps of Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith, all of whom rejuvenated their careers with teams other than the ones that drafted them. But it’s clear that McCarthy — who completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards — finds more room to develop in New York than in Minnesota.
For a moment during the game, the Giants looked as nailed as any franchise in the league. McCarthy looked like him suffered a serious hip injurycollapsing to the ground in pain after receiving a violent blow:
But he returned just two series later, during which Jameis Winston led New York to its only touchdown of the afternoon. Giants head coach John Harbaugh said he and his team considered leaving Winston for the rest of the game, but ultimately decided to go back to their starter.
Advertisement
“The trainers and doctors said he was fine and ready to go,” Harbaugh said. “With that, we decided to put him back there.”
Behind McCarthy, the Giants running back room remains a work in progress. Cam Skattebo missed the game with a hamstring injury; Devin Singletary had more carries Sunday (21) than he has all season so far (18), and Gregory Desrosiers jumped from the practice squad to carry the ball three times for 20 yards. These numbers seem to suggest a possibility, perhaps even a mandate, for New York to reach a deal in the next 48 hours.
New York maintains a lead over Dallas, including a win in Week 1, while Philadelphia and Washington flounder. The temptation is surely there to improve the Giants’ roster via trade — perhaps through a running back like Jonathan Taylor — but Harbaugh emphasized that the Giants aren’t looking for a quick fix.
“It has to make sense, in the short and long term. We’re not going to settle for a short-term solution at an exorbitant cost,” Harbaugh said. “Usually when you do this kind of thing, it doesn’t work for you. You end up paying a high price and you don’t get a return for it.”
Advertisement
Harbaugh noted that the Giants are “making a lot of calls,” but stressed that he doesn’t think there’s a franchise savior ready to fill out the Giants’ roster.
“I never think you’re one step away or one player away. Either way, for me it’s always just kind of all-out momentum,” he said. “But if the right opportunity presents itself and a deal makes sense for us, we will do it.”
In four days, the Giants will face Washington at home, and follow up with two against the Jaguars and Colts of the AFC South. The Giants’ remaining schedule sits right in the middle of the league, by Tankathonwith the rest of the division grouped around them. That means the Giants won’t be able to take advantage of any schedule disruptions, nor will the rest of the NFC.
Beyond that, well…the playoffs are murky and mysterious. There’s nothing New York does particularly well on offense, which isn’t surprising given the inconsistency at quarterback. The Giants’ defense ranks ninth in the league in yards allowed, which isn’t spectacular but enough to keep New York in almost every game remaining on its schedule.
Advertisement
New York vanquished some Philly ghosts on Sunday, and McCarthy continues to gain valuable experience and playing time. The Giants are on pace to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season. Sure, they’re not burning that track, and they’re making pit stops almost every week to change quarterbacks and running backs, but as long as they’re the first to cross the line, who really cares how they look when they do?
Gn headline
