The Giants Are Throwing J.J. McCarthy to the Texans' Pass Rush

The New York Giants have officially reached the "throw the new guy to the wolves" portion of their season.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that New York plans to start J.J. McCarthy at quarterback this Sunday against the Houston Texans.

This move comes right after a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints where the Jameis Winston experience went exactly how you would expect. Winston managed just 152 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before getting the hook.

Enter McCarthy, who the Giants traded for from the Minnesota Vikings back in late September. He stepped in during the fourth quarter against New Orleans and immediately threw for 243 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.

That is the kind of late-game stat line that makes a desperate coaching staff believe they have magically fixed their offense.

But starting a fresh game is a lot different than playing hero ball against a soft zone, especially when the opponent is Houston. The Texans are coming off a 34-31 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and feature a defensive front that treats opposing quarterbacks like a piñata.

NFL insiders like Ian Rapoport were literally just suggesting the Giants might want to wait a week to start McCarthy specifically to hide him from Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Instead, New York is tossing him right into the blender.

If you are looking at the betting markets for Sunday, you have to factor in a quarterback making his first start for a new team against a pass rush that ruins game plans for a living.

Sunday will tell us very quickly if McCarthy is the spark this Giants roster desperately needs or if New York just sacrificed their new investment to the Houston defensive line.