Cam Skattebo rushed for 124 yards in the New York Giants‘ 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans. The win moves the Giants to 4-2-1 on the season as J.J. McCarthy made his first start of the season at quarterback.
Skattebo Redeems Fumble With Overtime Heroics
Cam Skattebo atoned for a costly overtime fumble two weeks prior by delivering the decisive play in Houston. The running back carried 17 times for 124 yards, capped by a 42-yard scamper in the extra period that set up Devin Singletary’s 30-yard game-winning touchdown run. Skattebo also scored on a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter, celebrating with a backflip after breaking multiple tackles. Last week against Washington, Skattebo did not record a single carry following a crucial fumble in a 27-27 tie.
“When I fumbled against Washington, it wasn’t in my mind to take care of the ball in that moment,” Skattebo said. “This week, I made sure I took care of it. I can protect the ball if I need to and when I have the right mindset.”
McCarthy Debuts as Giants Starter
J.J. McCarthy directed the New York offense effectively in his first start of the season after coach John Harbaugh benched Jameis Winston. McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards in the stadium in which he won the national title with Michigan in January 2024. Harbaugh praised the quarterback following the matchup.
JJ McCarthy and Cam Skattebo should have some yards on the ground against the Texans@FanaticsSports #FanaticsSportsPartner pic.twitter.com/hsfZsUNT5Z
— https://x.com/TalkinGiants/status/2114382543592059258
“I thought he did a great job,” Harbaugh said. “He made some great throws. I’m sure he didn’t play perfect, but he played a heck of a football game, and he deserves a lot of credit.”
Texans Struggle After Halftime
The Houston offense stalled for long stretches after intermission, managing a season-low 153 passing yards from C.J. Stroud. Despite the aerial struggles, Stroud tossed two touchdown passes, including a 3-yard strike to Xavier Hutchinson with under a minute remaining in regulation to tie the game at 21-all. Houston got the ball first in overtime, but failed to pick up a first down, running a three-and-out that featured Kayvon Thibodeaux dropping a potential interception on second down.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. pointed to recurring execution issues as the Texans fell to a 2-5 record. “We’ve been very inconsistent of playing up to our standard,” Anderson said. “Sometimes we’re swarming, sometimes we’re not. Sometimes we’re tackling well, sometimes we’re not, and we’ve got to find a way to do it on a consistent basis.”
Dell Returns From Long Recovery
Tank Dell returned to action for Houston after missing almost two years recovering from a gruesome knee injury. Dell caught one pass for 43 yards and returned a punt for 14 yards, expressing relief after absorbing his first tackle since the injury. Coach DeMeco Ryans praised the wide receiver’s persistence through the rehabilitation process. Both teams are off next week before the Giants visit the Eagles on Nov. 8 and the Texans visit the Chargers that day.