Giants beat Texans 27-21 in overtime as Devin Singletary's 30-yard run caps J.J. McCarthy's first start

Final: Giants 27, Texans 21 (OT). Devin Singletary broke a 30-yard touchdown run in overtime to give the New York Giants a win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Houston. The run came one play after a 42-yard burst by Cam Skattebo, and it ended a game the Texans had tied with less than a minute left in regulation.

The win moves the Giants to 4-2-1 heading into their bye week. Houston fell to 2-5 after winning its previous two games, according to the Giants’ team site.

How the Giants won in overtime

Houston got the ball first in overtime but went three-and-out, according to The Associated Press. Kayvon Thibodeaux nearly ended it sooner, dropping a potential interception on second down.

New York then handed the ball to Skattebo, who ripped off 42 yards. On the next play, Singletary went 30 yards for the game-winner with 7:25 left in the extra period, the Giants said. The team called it the longest walk-off touchdown run in overtime by a Giant.

It was the second time in three weeks that regulation wasn’t enough for New York. The Giants tied Washington 27-27 in Week 5.

J.J. McCarthy stats in his first Giants start

Coach John Harbaugh benched Jameis Winston and turned to J.J. McCarthy, who became the Giants’ third starting quarterback this season. McCarthy was traded from the Vikings less than a month ago for a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to the team.

McCarthy’s line, per AP and the Giants:

He completed his first five passes for 96 yards. The opening drive ended with Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s 2-yard touchdown run, the Giants’ first opening-drive touchdown since Week 1. There was a fitting backdrop, too: McCarthy won the College Football Playoff national title with Michigan in the same stadium in January 2024.

Winston still played a role. He came in for short-yardage plays and scored on a 1-yard sneak before halftime.

Cam Skattebo’s bounce-back day

Skattebo didn’t have a carry the week before, AP reported, after a costly fumble two weeks ago. On Sunday he got the ball on the Giants’ first two plays and finished with 17 carries for a career-high 124 yards. His 16-yard touchdown run, during which he broke several tackles, gave New York a 21-14 lead with about nine minutes left, and he celebrated with a backflip.

The Giants had four rushing touchdowns, from Tracy, Winston, Skattebo and Singletary. According to the team, that’s the first time four different Giants have run for a score in a game since 1950.

Dominic Zvada’s missed field goals

Rookie kicker Dominic Zvada had a rough afternoon. He missed a 56-yard try wide right late in the first quarter. After Houston tied the game, he missed again wide right as the first half ended. AP listed that kick at 44 yards and the Giants’ team site listed it at 46. Earlier this season, Zvada hit a 56-yarder at Washington.

How the Texans stayed close

C.J. Stroud threw two touchdown passes but finished with a season-low 153 passing yards, AP said. Just before halftime he hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 6-yard score. Harrison is in his second game with Houston since a trade from Arizona. Cade Stover caught the 2-point conversion to tie it 14-14.

Houston punted on its first three drives of the second half. Then Stroud found Xavier Hutchinson for a 3-yard touchdown on third-and-goal with 52 seconds left to tie it 21-21. The Giants couldn’t get into field-goal range before the end of regulation.

Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked two field goals for Houston, including a 57-yarder. Tank Dell returned after missing almost two years with a serious knee injury and had a 43-yard catch.

Injuries and what’s next

• Giants: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring).
• Texans: WR Jaylin Noel left in the fourth quarter with a toe injury.

Both teams have a bye next week. On Nov. 8, the Giants visit the Eagles and the Texans visit the Chargers. The Giants were guaranteed to enter the bye leading the NFC East, according to their team site.

FAQ