Giants earn overtime win over Texans as offense and running game excel
New York Giants defeated the Houston Texans in overtime, posting their best offensive grades of the season according to Pro Football Focus, while the running game and pass rush also saw significant improvements.
The New York Giants secured a 31-28 overtime victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday, a performance that Pro Football Focus (PFF) rated as the team’s strongest offensive showing of the season. The Giants posted top grades in overall offense, passing and rushing, and recorded their best pass-rushing effort to date, despite being the second-worst pass-blocking game of the year against Houston’s elite edge defenders.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, in his second start, earned a PFF ranking of the league’s 10th-best quarterback after completing 5 of 7 passes in the 10-20-yard range and delivering three long throws beyond 20 yards. He led the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks in average yards after the catch (12.3 aDOT). Wide receiver Malik Nabers continued his streak of 100-plus-yard games, reaching 605 receiving yards for the season, the fifth-most in the league. Rookie tight end Malachi Fields posted a career-high four receptions and 40 yards after catch.
Running back Cam Skattebo rushed for a season-high 124 yards and a touchdown, while veteran Devin Singletary added a game-winning run in overtime. The improvement coincided with the offensive line’s strongest run-blocking grade of the season, highlighted by Patrick Ricard’s best performance to date.
Defensively, the Giants were not rated as the team’s best overall effort, but individual players stood out. Defensive end D.J. Reader delivered a career-high performance with three pressures, a tackle and an assist, and no missed tackles. Rookie linebacker Bobby Jameson-Travis earned a strong grade for his run defense, and Kayvon Thibodeaux recorded three pressures for the third straight game. Defensive backs Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo posted high coverage grades, limiting the impact of Houston’s receivers.
Analysts noted that the Giants’ win improves their playoff odds, with a current 44% probability that could rise to 75% with victories over upcoming opponents. The game also highlighted the team’s growing depth at quarterback and the effectiveness of its rushing attack against a strong defensive opponent.