There’s no Giants game at MetLife Stadium or anywhere else today. New York is on its Week 8 bye, and head coach John Harbaugh’s team heads into the break at 4-2-1 and in first place in the NFC East after a 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans.
The Giants return Nov. 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, the first of four division games left on the schedule.
Getting here took three starting quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart’s torn MCL and meniscus pushed Jameis Winston into the lineup, and J.J. McCarthy has since taken over, throwing for 252 yards in the win in Houston. Malik Nabers has 605 receiving yards, and Isaiah Likely leads the team with five touchdown catches.
Giants’ season results through Week 7
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Here’s how New York got to 4-2-1:
- Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys, W 28-20
- Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams, L 28-6
- Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans, W 12-7
- Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals, W 36-24
- Week 5: at Washington Commanders, T 27-27 (OT)
- Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints, L 34-27
- Week 7: at Houston Texans, W 27-21 (OT)
Defense has done a lot of the heavy lifting. Linebacker Arvell Reese leads the team with 56 tackles, Jevon Holland has three interceptions and Deonte Banks returned a pick 98 yards for a touchdown. Abdul Carter and Dru Phillips each have two sacks, part of a defense led by Carter and Reese through the first half.
The offense has been uneven. New York has allowed 21 sacks, and the running back room behind Cam Skattebo has struggled enough that the Giants are among teams pursuing Jonathan Taylor before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Giants’ remaining schedule and NFC East race
Ten games remain after the bye:
- Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 8
- Week 10: vs. Washington Commanders, Thursday, Nov. 12
- Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 22
- Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 29
- Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 6
- Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 13
- Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 20
- Week 16: at Detroit Lions, Monday, Dec. 28
- Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3
- Week 18: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, TBD
The division sets up well for New York right now. The Cowboys are 3-4, the Eagles are 2-5 and the Commanders are 1-4-1, so the Giants hold a game-and-a-half lead with a head-to-head win over Dallas already banked.
The first two games after the bye matter most. Philadelphia and Washington both have losing records, and winning both would put real distance between the Giants and the rest of the division before a tougher stretch arrives.
That stretch runs from Dec. 6 through Dec. 28, with the 49ers (6-1), Seahawks (4-3), Browns (5-2) and Lions (4-2) in four straight games. Overall, New York’s remaining opponents have a combined .500 winning percentage, 15th-toughest in the league, according to Tankathon.
Holding on would give New York its first NFC East title since 2011, and the next two weeks will say a lot about whether McCarthy can keep the Giants in front.
More on the New York Giants
- Giants QB Jameis Winston Announces Foundation Update
- NFL Announces Punishment Decision on Giants RB Cam Skattebo
- Why the Giants Should Go All-In on Jonathan Taylor Before the NFL Trade Deadline
- Giants Among Teams Pursuing Jonathan Taylor as Colts Open Trade Talks
