2 lnt’s Gets Winston Benched
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Off The Bench JJ Shines Will Start Sunday
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Giants fell behind in the second half of their game, as they rotated between running backs and quarterbacks, in the 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants were ahead 10-0, led by Jameis Winston, with less than 2:30 remaining before half time, but a costly fumble by wide receiver Charlie Jones during the kick return on their next possession was the start of a downward spiral as the Saints scored and teams went to halftime tied at 10. New York was down 24-10 when J.J. McCarthy replaced Winston in the fourth, igniting a spark in the Giants and a redemption for Jones, nearly tying the game, but they fell short of a comeback victory in the last few seconds.
“Appreciate the opportunity to get out there and compete and I’m proud of our guys for the way they fight,” said Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh. “Disappointing a lot of things that weren’t good and some things that were really good.”
Harbaugh felt the running game could use improvement. “All those guys were taking equal reps in the first half,” he said. “We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could kind of get a hot hand and earn it.”
Running back Cam Skattebo did not start and had limited time in the game.
“Anytime we have, our good players, everyone makes a difference in their own way,” Winston said when asked if he felt the lack of Skattebo in the game and if his presence could have made a difference. “I’m glad that we all get to continue to stay hungry and continue to be motivated for more.”
The Giants scored first, in their second possession in the first quarter. Winston made progress to goal connecting to tight end Isaiah Likely for 24 yards. He passed to wide receiver Tyrone Tracy Jr. for 17 yards for the touchdown. The Giants were ahead 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Kicker Dominic Zvada kicked a 34-yard field goal for the team in their second possession in the second quarter. The Saints responded with a 58-yard field goal by kicker Daniel Carlson. New Orleans returned from halftime and scored 28 unanswered points until McCarthy entered in the 4th with less than 11:31 in the game.
He threw an interception, but handed the ball to Tracy in the Giants next possession who ran for a for a touchdown. McCarthy then found Likely to secure the 2-point conversion. The Giants quickly forced the Saints to punt and got the ball back. McCarthy immediately connected with Jones on a 49-yard pass, moving closer to goal.
“I thought it was awesome,” Coach Harbaugh said. “I thought it was a great play.”
McCarthy next passed to Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, but the attempt at the two-point conversion to wide receiver Malik Nabers failed. Zvada kicked a 41-yard field goal on the Giant’s next possession. The final attempt to tie the score was a incomplete pass from McCarthy to Likely in the last 12 seconds of the game.
McCarthy completed 11 of 21 passes for 243-yards and threw one touchdown and one interception.
“The only thing I’m focused on is getting better each and every day,” he said about his hopes going forward. “At the end of the day, coach Harbaugh has to make a lot of decisions and those are his decisions. I trust him wholeheartedly.”
Winston completed 14 of 26 passes for 152-yards and threw one touchdown and two interceptions. “I think you continue to see a resilient football team, never losing faith, never wavering,” he said were the positives he took from the game. “They continue to rally together & they continue to find a way to create a spark.”
Harbaugh said he had no problem with Winston and any decision of who would play in their next game would not be decided at that moment.
Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney left the game with a neck injury.
The Giants travel Sunday to Houston to face the Texans.
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