The New York Giants escaped Landover with a 27-27 overtime tie after Cam Skattebo’s late fumble threatened to erase a 14-point comeback and hand Washington the win. The result left New York at 3-1-1 and in first place in the NFC East, but the finish was defined by costly mistakes from both sidelines.
Giants lose chance to kick for the win
After both teams had possessed the ball in overtime, New York moved into Washington territory and reached the Commanders’ 24-yard line. At the two-minute warning, the Giants were already in range for a potential game-winning field goal.
- Giants rookie kicker Dominic Zvada had missed three field-goal attempts during the game.
- New York’s plan was to run the ball, drain the clock and move closer before attempting the deciding kick.
- The approach also was designed to prevent Washington from having enough time for a response if the kick missed.
- Skattebo ran into the middle of the defense, where the ball was punched out for a turnover.
The fumble was Skattebo’s fourth of the season, though it was his first lost fumble. It came at the worst possible moment, with the Giants positioned to end the game.
John Harbaugh said the late-game approach had been established long before Sunday and remains the preferred strategy.
“The idea was to run it twice, take the clock down, get as close as possible and protect the football,” Harbaugh said. “Then you take the knee before the kick, so if the field goal is missed, they do not have time to drive back for one. That is the strategy we decided on during training camp, and it is probably what we will do the next time as well.”
Skattebo accepts responsibility
Harbaugh praised Skattebo’s overall performance but said the running back must better understand the type of run required when protecting a lead or setting up a late field goal.
“Skatt played a hell of a game, but he has to learn from that,” Harbaugh said. “We have practiced that exact situation plenty of times.”
Skattebo did not attempt to shift blame after the turnover.
“At the end of the day, I messed up,” Skattebo said. “That is on me. We will learn from it, get better and come out with the win next time.”
Commanders’ late error preserves the tie
Washington had its own breakdown moments later. Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels mishandled a potential game-winning sequence, taking attention away from Skattebo’s turnover and allowing the contest to end without a winner.
Skattebo acknowledged that Washington’s mistake provided some relief, even though he expects to hear plenty about his fumble.
“It was a sigh of relief,” he said. “I probably will not get reamed as much, but I am still going to get reamed.”
The Giants did not complete the comeback victory that had appeared within reach, but the tie preserved their position atop the division after a chaotic overtime finish.
