Giants Face Texans in Week 7 as J.J. McCarthy Makes First Start

The New York Giants face the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a pivotal Week 7 matchup. The game marks the first career start for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in blue, after head coach John Harbaugh named him the starter following Jameis Winston's performance in last week's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

McCarthy takes over an offense looking to stabilize after a bumpy start to the season. New York enters the game leading the NFC East with a 3-2-1 record, though they have navigated significant roster changes since losing starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Winston filled in during Dart's absence, going 2-1-1 before being benched after throwing two second-half interceptions against New Orleans. McCarthy was acquired from Minnesota for a fifth-round draft pick and showed flashes in relief last week, sparking a late-game rally by finishing 11-of-21 for 243 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

The Houston Texans enter the contest at 2-4 but are trending upward after securing consecutive road victories against division rivals Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback C.J. Stroud leads the Texans offense, coming off a 312-yard, three-touchdown performance in a dramatic 34-31 win over Jacksonville in London. Houston is aiming for its third straight victory to cap off a winning streak before heading into their Week 8 bye.

Sunday's matchup also features a major milestone for the Texans as wide receiver Tank Dell returns to the field. Dell has missed nearly two years following a severe knee injury suffered during the 2024 season. His long-awaited return provides an emotional boost for a Houston offense that relies heavily on weapons like Nico Collins and Stroud.

Both teams face notable challenges on the injury front. The Texans ruled out running back David Montgomery, safeties Jalen Pitre and Reed Blankenship, and offensive tackle Blake Fisher. Meanwhile, the Giants are missing several key contributors, including cornerback Greg Newsome II, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, safety Jevon Holland, and tight end Theo Johnson, while dealing with questionable designations for players like tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.

Cam Skattebo looks to reestablish himself for the Giants as the lead running back after previously being demoted prior to the New Orleans game. Skattebo has battled ball-security issues early this year with four fumbles in six games, but reports indicate he is expected to shoulder the primary workload against Houston's defense.

Historically, the Giants have held the upper hand in the all-time series, holding a 5-1 record against Houston. New York won the last meeting between the two franchises 24-16 in November 2022 at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM Eastern Time, with the broadcast airing nationally on FOX.