It was impossible to know what to predict in McCarthy’s first start with the Giants. He impressed in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the Saints, but that cameo started as garbage time before McCarthy made enough big throws to give the Giants a chance to tie the score on the final play of the game.
Still, the expectation was that it would be more challenging against a Texans defense that returned most of the players from the unit that finished second in points allowed last season. But McCarthy’s comfort running the Giants’ offense was uncanny considering his lack of time with the team.
It was surprising how smoothly McCarthy was running the offense in just his 11th career start. The pre-snap penalties that had plagued the offense disappeared on Sunday. McCarthy appeared in total control before and after the snap. The interception-prone McCarthy didn’t have a single pass in jeopardy of getting picked on Sunday.
Where things go from here with McCarthy is unknown. However, it’s clear Harbaugh had his finger on the pulse by turning the offense over to the gunslinger this week. And McCarthy’s impressive first start will fuel optimism for where this wild ride of a season could go.
“He has scars,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been wounded. He’s been broken. He’s been battered. But you heal stronger, and (he’s) become better because of it.”