Amid all of the quarterback controversy, trade rumors, and mid-week cuts, the New York Giants have a football game to play, and it's an important one. A Week 7 win over the Houston Texans could build Bib Blue's cushion in the NFC East, giving John Harbaugh's team a clear path to the playoffs.
Against a surging Texans team, the G-Men will need a few things to go their way in J.J. McCarthy's first start.
Let's start with these three matchups.
3 matchups to watch as Giants take on Texans in Week 7
Giants RT Jermaine Eluemunor vs. Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. is on a direct path to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. He leads the NFL in sacks with 7.5 and has been one of the league's best run defenders off the edge.
Especially with the chaos of McCarthy under center, the Giants can't allow Anderson Jr. to take over in this game. He's bound to win a few reps as one of the league's premier defenders, but Jermaine Eluemunor needs to at least hold his own. It's a tall task for a right tackle recovering from a calf injury.
Giants CB Deonte Banks vs. Texans WR Nico Collins
C.J. Stroud and the Texans' passing offense have been on a heater lately. He's playing some of the best football of his career, and his primary target, Nico Collins, has benefited in a big way. Collins has totaled 323 yards and three touchdowns in four games this year.
Deonte Banks is New York's only healthy starting cornerback, as Greg Newsome II and Paulson Adebo are both dealing with injuries. He has made a few game-changing plays this season, but Banks is still prone to mistakes every now and again. He'll need to be at his best against Collins. If he's not, Stroud won't hesitate to take advantage.
Giants QB J.J. McCarthy vs. the law of averages
During his almost miraculous comeback against the New Orleans Saints, McCarthy heaved four passes more than 20 yards downfield. They weren't all perfect throws by any means, but all four were caught. Those plays added up for 146 yards and a touchdown, making up most of the quarterback's production.
Unless his stroke of luck on deep balls continues, McCarthy will need to find other ways to win. Those throws downfield will still be part of the offense, but he'll have to find the easy gains to fuel a competent Giants offense. Otherwise, his risky passes will come back to bite him.
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