The New York Giants hosted the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, entering the game with a 3-1-1 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC East. Despite those records heading into the Week 6 matchup, the Giants were underdogs for much of the week.
New York jumped out to a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter. The Saints then scored 27 unanswered points and took a 27-10 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. New Orleans continued to control the game through most of the second half.
Cam Skattebo was largely benched after his critical fumble in overtime the previous week, which may have cost the Giants a win in Week 5. Charlie Jones also fumbled a kick return while New York led 10-3, a miscue that shifted momentum.
The Giants struggled to move the ball consistently, and Jameis Winston threw a pair of interceptions in the second half. JJ McCarthy added to the turnover total when he was intercepted on his first drive of the game early in the fourth quarter.
The Giants mounted a late comeback behind McCarthy, cutting a 34-10 deficit to 34-27 in the final minutes. The rally proved too little, too late.
New York lost by a final score of 34-27 and dropped to 3-2-1. Here’s how fans reacted to the loss.
This is going downhill fast.
— Giants Today (@NYGToday) October 18, 2026
The Charlie Jones fumbled kick return feels like it's going to be the beginning of the end for the 2026 Giants
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) October 18, 2026
Every game I think to myself what would the score be if Dart was the QB
— Midtown Mike (@lostTobobbyflay) October 18, 2026
When you ask a crappy turnover prone qb to operate with no run game he’s often times going to look like a crappy turnover prone qb
— Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) October 18, 2026
Start the JJ McCarthy era and if it fails go back to Jameis in due time.
You have no choice
The entire NFL thought the Giants were frauds
— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) October 18, 2026
They were right
That Charlie Jones fumble took the air out of the stadium and the Giants have been a different team since. So have the Saints.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 18, 2026
This has been a collapse in all 3 phases of the game
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) October 18, 2026
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 18, 2026
Me seeing JJ throw one pick then one great deep ball to Malik pic.twitter.com/qNYWoTDLkl
— Sarah McCrory (@sarahhmccrory) October 18, 2026
Cue the "Should J.J. McCarthy take over as the starter" questions.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) October 18, 2026
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) October 18, 2026
The biggest difference between McCarthy and Winston so far is the pocket presence. McCarthy's calm presence in the pocket is making me WEEP for what this year could have been with Dart.
— The Football Grump (@football_grump) October 18, 2026
You can’t keep trying to win games on Cinderella comebacks man. Need to play consistent good football for 4 quarters
— Mal (@MalsGiants) October 18, 2026
Absolutely sucks to lose, McCarthy was AMAZING! Almost made miracle happen
— BaddogSports (@MrBaddog7676) October 18, 2026
Obviously not ideal to lose but that game actually made me more optimistic about the Giants season. JJ McCarthy is so much fun. Let him start rest of season
— Tommy Smokes (@TomScibelli) October 18, 2026
Too many mistakes to overcome
— Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) October 18, 2026
But perhaps a season saving qb change just took place for the football Giants
Safe to say. JJ is starting next week.
— Bobby Spence (@postcrabcore) October 18, 2026
Should there have been a flag? pic.twitter.com/g90Ohkl7bK
— 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 🏆 (@AbdulCarterMVP) October 18, 2026
I know it was vs this Saints defense, but to me JJ McCarthy earned a start next week for the Giants. Made a blowout loss an exciting finish even in defeat.
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) October 18, 2026
Giants leading passer today
— PFF (@PFF) October 18, 2026
JJ McCarthy 243 Pass Yards
Giants leading rusher today
JJ McCarthy 26 Rush Yards pic.twitter.com/rvIB1wPxxB
Onto the Texans
— LPG - NYG (@LicensePlateGuy) October 18, 2026
So basically if you take Jameis out a drive earlier, we win. Cool lol
— Mr. Chicken (@5on_it) October 18, 2026
I’ve seen what I needed to see. Have JJ start the rest of the season.
— Carly (@carlymersky) October 18, 2026
The JJ McCarthy experience was wilder than the Jameis experience
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 18, 2026
John Harbaugh teams never quit.
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media) October 18, 2026
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Comeback by J.J. McCarthy, Giants falls short: Here's how fans reacted