Robert Stolzenberger asks: A lot has been made, rightfully, about the Commanders’ poor deciding and executing at the end of OT in game 5. But wouldn’t it have been much safer and smarter for the Giants to have tried the field goal on 2nd down (I think it was) instead of handing it off to Skattebo for a couple of more yards up the middle? They were already inside the 25 yard line and any score would have won the game immediately. Winston had been on fire and the Washington defense was pretty grabby
already on every play. Seems to me I recall Parcells and other team’s coaches not waiting for 4th down or taking more time off the clock in similar situations — rather just get it over with. Also, who would make that call, the OC or Harbaugh? We should be 4-1.
Ed says: Robert, no. Stay with me, and I will explain.
Skattebo ran for 5 yards and a first down right before the overtime two-minute warning. So, what you are asking is if the Giants should have simply kicked the field goal on first down coming out of the two-minute warning. Now, of course if the Giants make the kick there they win the game, Both teams had already possessed the ball once.
But … there is always a’but’.
Remember that placekicker Dominic Zvada missed three of five field-goal tries in the game, and had already missed from 46 yards during overtime. Washington had already used its two allotted timeouts in overtime.
Yes, if you make the kick there you win the game. If you miss, though, you are handing the ball to Washington at about the 32-yard line with 1:50 to play. They have plenty of time to go down the field and kick a game-winning field goal, even without timeouts. We saw that play out. Had the Commanders not screwed up the clock management they moved down the field after the fumble and had plenty of time to get off a makeable field-goal try.
The idea is to run the ball twice, maybe three times and work the clock down so that the game-winning field goal try by Zvada would be the final play of the game. That way, you take away any chance Washington has of winning the game.
Here is how Harbaugh explained it Sunday night:
“The idea was to run it twice, and then run it down, get as close as we could, protect the football, which we talked about numerous times, and then run it down and take the knee. So in case he doesn’t make the field goal, there’s no time for them to come back and get the field goal. That’s the strategy.”
It was absolutely the proper way to play the situation. If Skattebo does his job, the Giants leave the Commanders with no opportunity to win. The only other way to do it is to take a knee three straight times, but that does result in moving the ball back a bit.
Peter Calamari asks: I wonder jf anyone says a connection between the deterioration of the Giants running game and the substitution of Hudson for Schmitz at center. It seems like since that switch was made the Giants are running much less effectively although possibly pass blocking somewhat better.
Ed says: Peter, it’s not the move to Bryan Hudson at center in place of John Michael Schmitz. Hudson has been better than Schmitz. If you judge by Pro Football Focus grades, which isn’t always the best way to judge, Hudson has been about 30 points better as both a run- and pass-blocker.
The difference is adjusting to a run game where the big difference-maker was supposed to be Jaxson Dart’s mobility. Dart’s Week 1 22-yard run is still the longest of the season for the Giants. Without the threat of the quarterback run game, the Giants are much more predictable and limited on the ground. Neither Cam Skattebo nor Najee Harris are guys who can outrun NFL defenders or possess enough wiggle to make defenders miss.
The blocking has to be perfect, and with teamsloading up the box and outnumbering the Giants at the line of scrimmageit hasn’t been.
Another thing that doesn’t help is Andrew Thomas’s groin injury. He is clearly laboring to get through games, and while he is playing well, he isn’t playing as well as a healthy Thomas is capable of.
Peter Smyth asks: I’m wondering about the “punch” play that Washington used to get Skattebo to fumble in OT and used on Likely’s second TD (didn’t count as a fumble). I guess I’ve never noticed a defensive player just standing there and making no attempt at a tackle, just waiting, watching the ball, then punching it as the guy goes down.
My questions: How to protect against this play? Are the Giants doing this to other teams? Has this been going on for years and I’m just noticing it? Isn’t this on the head coach to prevent? It must work a lot if they are trying it. Interested in your thoughts.
Ed says: Peter, I am not crazy about the play. It is legal, though, and has been around for a while. It does seem to be becoming more of a thing in recent years. Yes, the Giants do it to other teams. Jevon Holland is good at it. I have seen Arvell Reese try to do it. It is becoming standard practice when one defender has a player under control for the next defender to try and punh the ball out. Tell me what a head coach is supposed to do about it. If a runner has the ball securely in two hands with a good grip on it and a defender punches the ball in the right spot with enough force it is going to come out.
Maybe the smartest thing a runner can do is realize when it’s time to stop fighting for six more inches and get to the ground before somebody knocks the ball out.
Bob Donnelly asks: With Sunday’s tie the NY Giants are in first place in the NFC East and, with a .700 winning percentage (3.5 /5), have the third best record in the NFC. Could you please share the scenarios of how, at the conclusion of the 18 game season, a tie helps/hurts a team?
Ed says: Bob, tie games count as a half-win and half-loss. So, let’s say the Giants and Eagles both finish with nine wins atop the NFC East. The Eagles, unless they also tie a game this season, would be 9-8. The Giants would be 9-7-1. The way the NFL looks at ties, they would technically be 9.5-7.5, so they would have the better record and would be division champs.
This played out in 2022. The Giants were 9-7-1. They made the playoffs as a wildcard. The 9-8 Detroit Lions went home without a playoff berth. Right now, there is no way to know what all of the scenarios will look like at the end of the year.
ctscan123 asks: Hey Ed, I do not understand any resistance whatsoever to J.J. McCarthy being a Giant. I don’t see how it could be considered anything less than a slam dunk. It’s a fifth-round pick for a quarterback drafted 10th overall who missed his entire rookie season due to injury and started only 10 games in his second year. The expectation that young quarterbacks should make the leap from college to the NFL and immediately hit the ground running is bordering on ridiculous. If he develops into a starting quarterback, whether for us or for another team after we’ve developed him, it’s an absolute steal in terms of trade value. If he becomes a competent backup, it’s still a good deal. And for those keeping track, regardless of whether he blossoms and supplants Winston, we do actually need a backup quarterback this year. If he fails, you’ve lost a fifth-round pick. For Pete sake, what is the hit rate on fifth round picks in the NFL? I’m not much of a gambler, but isn’t this deal basically all upside? What am I missing here? I know this is a rant disguised as a question which is one of your favorite things, but the opposition to this move is one of the bigger head-scratchers I’ve encountered in a long time.
Ed says: CT, where are you reading about resistance to the McCarthy trade? I have not seen much resistance to the trade itself, but everyone is entitled to his or her own feelings about whether or not the Giants should have done it. I wasn’t crazy about giving up a fifth-round pick, but the Giants felt he was the best quarterback available at the time and that the price was reasonable.
There are people who will argue the Giants simply should have signed Jimmy Garoppolo or grabbed Joe Milton off the Dallas practice squad. So be it.
There is more disagreement about when, or if, McCarthy should play.
In the end, no matter what move gets made someone always disagrees. It’s the way of the world.
The Cam Skattebo section
Jim Jordan asks: I know Skattebo is very popular in the locker room, but watching the body language of his teammates after his fumble yesterday, I have to wonder if Harbaugh needs to sit him down for a week or two and activate Singletary instead. Given how much Harbaugh talks about accountability and meritocracy, I would think it sends a pretty bad message to turn a blind eye to the fact that his starting back has now fumbled on roughly 5% of his carries this year so far. Particularly when his reaction to them luckily avoiding a loss was to say he was happy to take the tie and get out of town. What do you think? Should Harbaugh try to get Skatt’s attention with a week on the inactive list.
Gary Siems asks: Harbaugh has stressed that everyone has to earn playing time. Tracy seems to have been benched based on two preseason mistakes (missed blocking assignment and a fumble) and regular season fumble where he was using proper technique. Does Skattebo now get benched having now fumbled four times in five games? I would prefer Tracy getting more reps based on his pass catching ability and change of pace capability as a runner. Your thoughts?
Ed says: Jim and Gary, first I’m going to talk about Cam Skattebo’s reaction. What was wrong with it? If you read or watched what he said, he knew he screwed up. He said so. He took accountability. He was also simply saying he was relieved that his screwup did not lead to a loss. That’s the same reaction most Giants fans had.
Yes, Skattebo’s teammates were upset in the moment. They knew how costly the play was. If you think the head coach is turning a blind eye to the situation, I don’t think you have been paying attention.
A week on the inactive list? That’s Draconian, and in my view doesn’t help the team. I can see the distribution of carries changing somewhat, but more in an effort to spark the running game that to punish Skattebo.
Would I be shocked if someone other than Skattebo starts the game on Sunday? No. But, removing him completely is something I don’t think will happen.
Here is something Harbaugh said on Friday:
Adam Jacobs asks: Hi Ed. It is a few hours after the stress inducing but very entertaining game. The one thing I am curious about, and maybe you can enlighten me, is this. Skattebo took his gloves off (I think in OT), which can be linked directly with his OT fumble. Is there a protocol in place for gloves, or cleats, or any equipment, being used or removed during a game, especially in a quagmire such as the game was? It seems to me the last thing you want to do is remove any equipment that could help you either run on the field better or hold on to the ball better. You would think someone with a fumbling problem would wear everything possible to make sure he doesn’t drop the ball, especially when they are in position to win the game.
Ed says: Adam, Skattebo did take his gloves off late in the game. He gave a full explanation of that decision on Thursday. It came down to the conditions making it such that he felt the gloves were not helpful.
Bill Virginia asks: The Giants have a stable of running backs. They also have a fullback, which not many teams have. Unfortunately the running game is mediocre at best. It’s hard to say if its the line or the back.
Furthermore I think they need to have the fullback more involved in offense.
My question is their best back seems to be missing. What has happened to Singletary? I believe he is the best back on the team.
Ed says: Bill, where did this idea come from that Devin Singletary is the Giants’ best running back? He has NEVER been the Giants’ best running back.
Singletary became a Giant in 2024. Tyrone Tracy took his job after four games and had 839 rushing yards with 4.4 yards per carry average to 439 and a 3.9 yards per carry average for Singletary.
In 2025, Singletary was the clear RB3 behind Tracy and Skattebo. After Skattebo was injured, Singletary became No. 2. He was still third on the team in rushing yards behind Tracy (740) and Dart (487), and averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.
Singletary has clearly declined since the first five years of his career, when his lowest yards per carry average was 4.2. He is not the answer to the Giants’ issues running the ball.
More diversity in how they run the ball to get teams to stop crowding the line of scrimmage, and perhaps more opportunities for Tracy are the best options the Giants have right now.
As for fullback, Patrick Ricard has played more snaps (116) than any other fullback in the NFL. That’s 44.96%. Only Kyle Juszczk of the San Francisco 49ers (47.68%) has played a higher percentage of offensive snaps. So, “they need to use the fullback more” doesn’t hold water.
Through five games, Ricard has the lowest Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade of his career. So, it would seem he needs to play better. Also, as Chris pointed out earlier this week the Giants need to be less predictable when Ricard is in the game.
Ed Helinski asks: In your opinion, are NFL defenders becoming so focused on punching, raking out and chopping the ball loose that they’re compromising tackling fundamentals? And how often do the Giants focus on these takeaway drills?
Ed says: Ed, tackling fundamentals? I’m not sure I’ve seen a lot of solid tackling fundamentals in the NFL for about 20 years. I think once in a while a player gets so focused on the takeaway attempt that he misses the tackle. The counter to that is the NFL is now all about those game-changing takeaways, or big plays. You have to have them to win. I couldn’t tell you what drills the Giants do. Once training camp ends, we don’t see practice. I know defenders practice a variety of drills geared toward emphasizing takeaways in the spring and summer, and I have to believe those are standard parts of practice during the season, as well.
Kölnerbigblue asks: Ed, this may sound silly but given our last 3 games on wet fields, how do kickers prepare for difficulties planting their feet on such surfaces? Do teams spray down the practice fields to simulate such ugly surfaces?
Ed says: Kolner, it’s not really something that can be practiced. Unless you happen to be practicing outdoors on a rainy day. Spray down the fields? Seriously? And increase the risk of getting multi-million dollar investments injured? Not happening.
The biggest real adjustment would come in equipment. All players, not just kickers, have access to a variety of cleat styles based on surfaces and conditions. The players have to figure out, with help from the equipment staff, what works best in whatever conditions they are playing in.
Michael Buscemi asks: Just finished watching the Washington tie I think at one point Scat was averaging 1 and 1/2 yds a carry if we’re going to be a running offense we need some lightning we can’t keep having scatterbo with 20 carries for 60 yd are thereabouts The trading deadline is November 10th do you think that the Giants might try to get some running back with some speed to help our offense.
Ed says: Michael, I think the Giants will continue to investigate all avenues to improve the roster. That will be especially true if the NFC East continues to be such a jumble, and the Giants get to the trade deadline sensing an opportunity to win the division.
That said, I keep reminding people that the Giants have to mindful that winning nine or 10 games this year and making the playoffs is not the end game. The end game is trying to be a championship contender with Jaxson Dart at quarterback, and you don’t want to give away draft resources for a short-term fix that might just help you in 2026.
That said, somebody like Tony Pollard of the 0-5 Tennessee Titans, who has averaged 4.5 yards per carry for his career and is a good pass catcher, would help the Giants. He is, 29, though, and on an expiring contract, so the price would need to be minimal.
Nicholas Carratura asks: When Dart got injured, there was some talk he could come back for the playoffs. I’ve heard some people say he’s done no matter what. I’m having trouble finding a definitive yes or no on that since most people still think the giants don’t have a chance to make the playoffs. Curious if you have info on that or an opinion on if he should even try to come back either way.
Ed says: Nicholas, you are having trouble finding a definitive yes or no because there isn’t one. The ACL was not torn, but there was damage to the meniscus, MCL, and PCL. The absolute best-case scenario is four months, which would make January possible.
An orthpedic surgeon I consulted with said that if the PCL had to be reconstructed there is no chance Dart could meet a four-month timeline. Other than being told surgery was successful we have not been given any information. So, there really isn’t an answer.
Brian Misdom asks: Hi Ed, with the run game not being nearly as effective since Dart was injured, why haven’t we seen more of Tracy? While Harbaugh has preached a meritocracy, it seems the gaffes from Skat haven’t put him in the doghouse the same way Tracy’s have (and they were primarily in the preseason). Do you think we will see more burn for Tracy moving forward?
Ed says: Brian, Tyrone Tracy’s snaps have ticked up the past couple of weeks. Against the Commanders, he played a season-high 17 on offense.
This follows a familiar pattern for Tracy. In 2024, he didn’t get a real opportunity until Week 5 when Devin Singletary got hurt. Last season, he was an afterthought until Skattebo got hurt halfway through the season. Both years, he put up good numbers.
There is a certain way John Harbaugh wants to play, and Skattebo and Najee Harris fit the vision more than Tracy. Yet, the results haven’t been what the Giants want and they know some adjustments will have to be made. We’ll see if one of those is more carries for Tracy, and a somewhat more varied rushing attack.
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