Giants' JJ McCarthy Posts NFL's Best Positive Play Rate in Week 6

JJ McCarthy keeps stacking up impressive numbers from his Week 6 relief appearance for the Giants. According to PFF, 22.6% of McCarthy's plays earned a positive grade, the highest percentage among all NFL quarterbacks for the week.

McCarthy also posted a perfect passer rating on passes that traveled 20 or more yards downfield, per PFF. "The newly acquired quarterback is already showing his ability to make big plays," as shared by Big Blue Film Room on X.

These numbers add to what we already knew from PFF, which had McCarthy leading every quarterback in Week 6 in yards per attempt, at 11.6, and average depth of target, at more than 16 yards. We broke that down in Giants QB JJ McCarthy Led All QBs in Week 6, per PFF.

What JJ McCarthy's Positive Play Rate Means

PFF grades every player on every snap, assigning each play a grade that reflects how well the player executed compared with what was expected. A play graded above zero is a positive play, one where the quarterback did something to help his team beyond simply completing the routine. A well-placed throw into a tight window, a smart decision under pressure or a play extended with his legs can all earn that mark.

Most snaps for a quarterback grade out as neutral, since many plays are simple handoffs, routine throws or plays that go as designed. That is why a positive play rate of 22.6% stands out. It means more than one in every five of McCarthy's plays in Week 6 was graded as a clear plus, and no other quarterback in the league reached that rate for the week.

The figure measures quality on each snap rather than volume, so it reflects how often McCarthy made something good happen once he was on the field.

Why the Deep Ball Matters for JJ McCarthy and the Giants

A perfect passer rating is the highest score the NFL passer rating formula allows, 158.3. It requires a quarterback to be extremely efficient across completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdowns while avoiding interceptions. Reaching it on throws of 20 or more yards downfield, the hardest passes in football to complete, is what makes this stat notable.

Deep passes give defenders more time to react and leave little room for error on timing and placement. McCarthy's ability to connect on those throws fits with his league-leading average depth of target, and it lines up with what the Giants have said they want from the offense. Back in August, we covered how John Harbaugh Says the Giants Are Going to Throw Downfield More.

McCarthy finished Sunday's game with 243 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception after coming on in relief of Jameis Winston, as the Giants fell 34-27 to the New Orleans Saints.

What Comes Next for JJ McCarthy and the Giants

The timing of these numbers matters. ESPN's Jordan Raanan has reported that the Giants are expected to make their quarterback decision before they take the practice field on Wednesday, as we covered in Giants QB Decision Expected Before Wednesday Practice. PFF's figures do not say which way the team will go, and the official answer will have to come from Harbaugh and his staff.

One game is a small sample, and grades from a single relief appearance do not guarantee future results. Still, McCarthy gave the Giants plenty of evidence to weigh as they prepare to face the Houston Texans next while trying to hold on to first place in the NFC East.

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