The New York Giants are heading into their bye week with momentum, confidence and a statement victory after surviving a late Houston rally and defeating the Texans, 27-21, in overtime on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
In a game that showcased the Giants’ physicality, resilience and ability to respond under pressure, running back Devin Singletary delivered the decisive blow with a game-winning touchdown run in overtime. The victory improved New York to 4-2-1 and marked the franchise’s first overtime win since October 3, 2021, when the Giants defeated the New Orleans Saints.
The victory also extended the Giants’ winning streak against Houston to six consecutive games, marking the first time in franchise history that New York has won six straight games against an AFC opponent.
For head coach John Harbaugh, Sunday’s performance was another example of a team learning how to finish games. Despite injuries, quarterback changes and adversity throughout the season, the Giants continued to fight and ultimately made the plays necessary to secure a critical road victory.
“This was a players’ win in every way,” Harbaugh said after the game, praising his team’s blocking, tackling, special teams and ability to fight through adversity.
With the win, the Giants also extended their streak of scoring at least 27 points to four consecutive games, their longest such streak since 2010.
Singletary Delivers the Knockout Punch
Overtime began with Houston receiving the football, giving the Texans the first opportunity to end the contest. New York’s defense answered the challenge, forcing a three-and-out and giving the offense an opportunity to win the game.
The Giants wasted little time taking advantage.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy helped move the offense forward before running back Cam Skattebo broke free for a spectacular 42-yard run. The explosive gain put New York in position to finish the game, and Singletary did the rest.
The veteran running back found an opening and raced into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, sending the Giants sideline into celebration and ending a hard-fought afternoon.
For Singletary, the moment carried additional significance. Having previously played for Houston, he delivered the decisive score against his former team when the Giants needed him most.
Harbaugh made sure to recognize Singletary’s patience and professionalism after the game. The coach acknowledged that the running back had been the odd man out of the rotation at times, despite continuing to work and prepare.
Harbaugh recalled telling Singletary that his opportunity would eventually come.
On Sunday, it arrived at the perfect moment.
The Giants’ victory was a testament to the importance of depth, preparation and staying ready when opportunities arise.
Skattebo Powers a Dominant Ground Attack
If Singletary provided the finishing touch, Skattebo supplied the power that helped the Giants control the game.
The young running back rushed 17 times for a career-high 124 yards, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per carry. His performance marked the most rushing yards by a Giant since Tyrone Tracy Jr. recorded 145 yards against Pittsburgh on October 28, 2024.
Skattebo also scored a 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, the longest rushing touchdown of his career, helping New York establish a 21-14 advantage.
His contribution became even more important in overtime, when his 42-yard run created the opportunity for Singletary’s game-winning score.
The performance represented an encouraging response from Skattebo after a frustrating previous week. Following a costly fumble against Washington and a game against New Orleans in which he received no carries, the running back returned with one of the strongest performances of his young career.
Harbaugh praised Skattebo’s determination and highlighted the offensive line’s work in creating running lanes.
The Giants finished with 188 rushing yards on 34 attempts, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Their ability to establish the ground game allowed the offense to control possession, generate explosive plays and wear down Houston’s defense.
New York also accomplished something it had not done since 1950: four different players scored rushing touchdowns in the same game.
Quarterback Jameis Winston, Skattebo, Tracy and Singletary each found the end zone on the ground. The last time four different Giants accomplished that feat was December 3, 1950, against the New York Yanks, when Bob Jackson, Charlie Conerly, Choo-Choo Roberts and Eddie Price scored rushing touchdowns.
It was a remarkable statistical milestone and another indication of the variety of ways the Giants can generate offense.
McCarthy Makes an Impressive First Start
Sunday also represented an important opportunity for McCarthy, who made his first start as a member of the Giants after joining the team during the season.
McCarthy responded with a composed performance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards, a 71.4% completion rate and a 99.1 passer rating. He did not throw an interception and helped New York generate 420 total yards of offense.
His completion percentage was the second-highest by a quarterback making his first start with the Giants, trailing only Bobby Clatterbuck’s 77.3% mark on December 5, 1954.
McCarthy’s 252 passing yards were also the fifth-most by a Giants quarterback in his first start with the team.
Those numbers were especially encouraging given the circumstances surrounding his arrival and preparation. Harbaugh praised McCarthy’s command of the offense, communication and ability to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
The coach also emphasized that McCarthy was not entering the NFL without experience, noting that the young quarterback had already played at a high level before arriving in New York.
McCarthy credited his teammates and the coaching staff for helping him prepare, specifically acknowledging Winston, Jake Haener and Jaxson Dart.
Rather than attempting to do too much, McCarthy distributed the ball, trusted his offensive line and allowed the running game to dictate the pace.
The Giants did not need their new quarterback to be perfect. They needed him to be composed, efficient and capable of making the throws required to keep the offense moving.
McCarthy delivered exactly that.
Nabers Continues to Make Franchise History
Malik Nabers once again demonstrated why he has become one of the most dangerous young receivers in football.
The wide receiver recorded seven receptions for 111 yards, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards.
Only one other player in Giants franchise history has accomplished that feat: Odell Beckham Jr., who recorded four consecutive 100-yard receiving games in 2014 and extended his streak to six games in 2015.
Nabers is also climbing the franchise’s all-time statistical rankings at a remarkable pace.
With 175 career receptions through his first 26 games, he now ranks second in Giants history for receptions through a player’s first 26 career games. Beckham holds the record with 182.
Nabers’ production was an important component of New York’s offensive balance against Houston. His ability to stretch the field forced the Texans to respect the passing attack, creating additional opportunities for Skattebo and the running game.
As the Giants move toward the second half of the season, Nabers’ continued development will be critical to maintaining their offensive production.
Isaiah Likely Adds Another Dimension
Tight end Isaiah Likely also reached an impressive milestone in his first seven games with New York.
Likely caught two passes for 12 yards against Houston, bringing his total to 41 receptions in his first seven career games with the Giants.
That makes him just the third tight end in NFL history to record more than 40 receptions in his first seven games with a team, joining Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers and Philadelphia’s Keith Jackson.
Although his individual numbers against Houston were modest, the milestone highlights the role Likely has played in the Giants’ passing offense since joining the team.
His ability to provide another receiving option gives McCarthy an additional target and adds flexibility to an offense that has increasingly relied on a combination of explosive passing plays and a powerful running game.
Defense Makes the Critical Stops
The Giants’ defense had its share of challenges, particularly when Houston mounted its fourth-quarter rally. However, the unit delivered when the outcome was on the line.
After the Texans tied the game at 21-21 with 52 seconds remaining in regulation, New York was unable to produce a winning drive before time expired.
That left the outcome to be decided in overtime.
Houston received the ball first, but the Giants forced a three-and-out and prevented the Texans from gaining momentum. The defensive stop gave New York the opportunity to take control and end the contest.
Linebacker Arvell Reese continued to demonstrate his impact, finishing with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and half a sack.
Reese now has 54 career tackles through seven games. According to the Giants’ official game notes, he is the only New York player since tackles became an official statistic in 1994 to record more than 50 tackles in his first seven career games.
His production reflects the importance he has assumed in the defense and his ability to contribute against both the run and the pass.
Cornerback Deonte Banks also had a productive afternoon, recording two tackles and two passes defensed.
Banks now has 10 passes defensed through the first seven games of the season. The last Giants player to record at least 10 passes defensed through the first seven games of a season was James Bradberry, who had 11 in 2020.
Harbaugh praised Banks’ tight coverage and ability to remain competitive against Houston’s receivers. He also highlighted linebacker Micah McFadden, whose tackle for a one-yard loss helped get the defense off the field.
The Giants limited Houston to 237 total yards, including just 84 rushing yards, and held the Texans to three conversions on 12 third-down attempts.
While the defense surrendered the late tying touchdown, it responded when it mattered most.
Houston’s Late Rally Falls Short
Houston appeared poised to steal the game late in the fourth quarter.
After trailing 21-14, the Texans mounted a nine-play, 48-yard drive that ended with quarterback C.J. Stroud finding Xavier Hutchinson for a three-yard touchdown pass with 52 seconds remaining. Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point tied the game at 21.
Stroud completed 17 of 28 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. caught a six-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, while Hutchinson provided the late equalizer.
Houston also received an emotional boost from the return of wide receiver Tank Dell, who played his first game in nearly two years. Dell caught a 43-yard pass, providing an explosive play and giving the Texans another weapon in the passing game.
Despite the comeback, Houston could not overcome its struggles in key situations.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans pointed to missed tackles, penalties and third-down inefficiency as major reasons for the defeat. The Texans converted just three of 12 third downs and committed 10 penalties for 80 yards.
Ryans also emphasized that his team needed to execute better in the fundamentals of football.
The Giants, meanwhile, were more effective on the ground, sustained drives more consistently and capitalized on their opportunity in overtime.
By the Numbers
The statistical comparison illustrates how New York controlled much of the contest.
- Final score: Giants 27, Texans 21 (OT)
- Giants record: 4-2-1
- Total offense: Giants 420 yards, Texans 237
- Rushing offense: Giants 188 yards, Texans 84
- Passing offense: Giants 232 net yards, Texans 153
- First downs: Giants 22, Texans 15
- Third-down conversions: Giants 5 of 13, Texans 3 of 12
- Time of possession: Giants 35:50, Texans 26:45
- Penalties: Giants four for 50 yards, Texans 10 for 80 yards
- McCarthy: 20-of-28, 252 passing yards, 99.1 passer rating
- Skattebo: 17 carries, 124 yards, one touchdown
- Nabers: Seven receptions, 111 yards
New York also converted both of its fourth-down attempts, while Houston converted its lone fourth-down opportunity.
The Giants’ ability to control the ground game, sustain possession and limit Houston’s offensive opportunities ultimately made the difference.
A Crucial Victory Before the Bye
The victory gives the Giants a 4-2-1 record heading into their bye week and provides a significant boost before a challenging stretch of NFC East games.
New York will face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road before returning home to take on the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.
Harbaugh described the Houston win as a pivotal moment for his team, while cautioning that one victory does not guarantee future success.
He emphasized the importance of building on the performance and using the bye week to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The coach also credited the players for continuing to fight through adversity and remaining physically strong late in games.
The Giants’ four-game streak of scoring at least 27 points is an encouraging sign for an offense that has found multiple ways to produce. The running game is generating explosive plays, Nabers continues to make history, and McCarthy has provided stability in his first start with the team.
Defensively, New York must continue to improve, particularly in the closing minutes of games. But the ability to force a stop in overtime and give the offense a chance to finish the contest was a major positive.
Final Thoughts
The Giants did more than win a close game in Houston. They demonstrated that their offense can function with a new starting quarterback, that their running backs can take over a contest and that their defense can deliver when the outcome is on the line.
McCarthy provided stability. Nabers continued his historic receiving streak. Skattebo delivered a career performance. Reese made his presence felt defensively. And Singletary supplied the knockout punch against his former team.
The victory also extended New York’s winning streak against Houston to six games, marked the franchise’s first overtime win in five years and gave the team a chance to enter its bye week with confidence.
There is still work to do, and the upcoming games against Philadelphia and Washington will provide another important test.
But for now, the Giants have earned the opportunity to rest, regroup and prepare for the next challenge.
After Sunday’s overtime thriller, Big Blue has every reason to believe that its best football may still be ahead.
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