QB J.J. McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston late in Week 6 and nearly led a comeback for the Giants. He went 11 for 21 for 243 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, and added 26 rushing yards. That was good for 17.8 fantasy points and a QB13 finish on just 31 snaps. Winston was the QB23 after throwing 2 INTs on 26 attempts.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
McCarthy’s 11.6 yards per attempt gave the offense a spark that had been missing. Winston was the QB6 in Week 5 after throwing for 326 yards and 3 TDs, so the benching shows how quickly the Giants’ patience ran out. It has to be assumed that McCarthy will take over as the starter moving forward.
McCarthy averaged 22.1 yards per completion, giving the offense a vertical element that had been inefficient under Jameis Winston. The Giants threw on 41 targets against just 19 carries while trying to come back. Malik Nabers caught 12 of 15 targets for 165 yards, and Charlie Jones turned 2 catches into 66 yards on just 20 snaps. Malachi Fields played a team-high 72 snaps but caught just 2 of 7 targets. The Giants have one of the most QB-friendly schedules the rest of the way. That’s ideal if they commit to one QB and stick with him.
Houston allows the 19th-most adjusted PPR points to QBs (17.0) and ranked 15th in pass defense power heading into Week 6. After the Week 8 bye, Philadelphia allows the 10th-most points to QBs and ranked 25th in pass defense power. The Giants have one of the friendlier QB schedules the rest of the way. If McCarthy is named the starter, he’s a QB2 with some intriguing upside in superflex leagues.
