Giants name J.J. McCarthy their starter for Sunday at Houston

J.J. McCarthy will start for the Giants at Houston on Sunday. John Harbaugh announced the decision after Wednesday's practice, turning an earlier report into a confirmed coaching move. Jameis Winston will be the backup, with Jake Haener the emergency third quarterback.

McCarthy made the case for another look in the fourth quarter of the Saints' 34-27 win Sunday. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception, all in that final period. The yards were striking. The interception and the unfinished comeback belong beside them.

He entered with 11:25 remaining and New York trailing 34-10. His first possession ended in an interception; the next three scoring drives produced 17 unanswered points. The rally eventually stopped on fourth down at the New Orleans 14. That sequence explains why the Giants can see both an opportunity and work still to do.

Winston had made four starts since Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury. The announced change is specific to this week's lineup. Neither the team announcement nor the league report establishes McCarthy as the permanent answer beyond it.

Our view: the useful test now is whether McCarthy can make the offense function before it needs a rescue. One high-output quarter is enough to earn attention, but not enough to settle a quarterback evaluation. Houston will give the Giants a fuller game of evidence. Reading Sunday's selection as a long-term verdict would get ahead of the decision actually announced.

Giants at Texans is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX. New York enters 3-2-1 and Houston 2-4. Both clubs have their bye the following week.