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HOUSTON — For the moment, the Giants' backfield belongs to Cam Skattebo, and any chatter about a trade for Jonathan Taylor can be set aside.
In Sunday's stunning 27-21 overtime victory over the Texans, the Giants' ground game—and Skattebo in particular—delivered a resounding answer. The second-year back carried 17 times for 124 yards and a crucial 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping John Harbaugh's resilient squad improve to 4-2-1.
After the game, Skattebo brushed off speculation that the Giants might pursue the Colts' Taylor to acquire the true No. 1 running back that Harbaugh covets.
"Honestly, I didn't pay no attention to that B.S.," Skattebo said of the trade rumors. "If they're going to do that, they can do that. But they know what they have in the backfield."
At least now they do.
His teammates took notice of how he responded to being benched against the Saints the previous week.
"It brought the demon out, right guard Francis Mauigoa told NJ.com."
Skattebo's effort was part of a broader resurgence in the running game. Harbaugh had demanded more from his rushing attack, and he got it: the Giants piled up 188 yards on the ground, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
The run blocking also showed marked improvement in Houston. The reason, according to Mauigoa, was straightforward.
"We moved the line of scrimmage," he said. "That's what we're called to do—and that's what we're going to do."
Devin Singletary sealed the win with a 30-yard touchdown run, set up by a 42-yard burst from Skattebo on the previous play. Tyrone Tracy added a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and finished with 15 yards, while Singletary totaled 41.
Ultimately, Skattebo's performance was befitting a No. 1 back. With Najee Harris no longer in the picture, the backfield is his once again.
So yes, the Giants can shelve the Taylor trade talk as they enter their bye week.
They scored four rushing touchdowns from four different players (including Jameis Winston), marking the first time since 1950 that four players ran for a touchdown in the same game. This is the offensive style Harbaugh envisioned for 2026.
After Skattebo's touchdown run gave the Giants a 21-14 lead with 8:55 left in regulation, he spoke to his offensive linemen on the sideline and shared his mindset.
"In my mind, if I don't score, I'm getting benched again," Skattebo told that group, as Mauigoa recalled.
As Skattebo buried the memories of his benching in Houston, his coaches helped. Before the fourth-quarter touchdown drive, wide receivers coach Chad Hall told him: "I think it's time for a backflip."
That, of course, is Skattebo's signature touchdown celebration. So he loved hearing those words from Hall.
"I knew that means it's time to get in the end zone," he said.
It was the 42-yard run—the longest gain of his NFL career—that made the difference in overtime, moving the Giants to Houston's 30 in sudden-death. Skattebo felt dehydrated as he sprinted downfield, then felt his hamstring cramp. He decided to slide rather than risk pulling a muscle, knowing the Giants were already in field goal range.
"Let me take care of myself and get down," he said of his thought process. "I didn't pull it. Not at all. I think I got a little tightness. I felt it there at the end, and I was like: It's not worth it to continue to go and pull it. So as soon as I felt it at all, I was able to pull up and just hold off. Now, I'm good. Just being smart."
He said after the game that he probably could jog around if needed, though he added, "We'll assess it as the week goes on."
Fortunately for Skattebo's hamstring, the Giants are off this week. Coming out of the bye, they return to Philadelphia—the site of Skattebo's gruesome ankle injury last season. That, too, is a distant memory for him now.
Still, Skattebo knows he must continue to focus in practice on avoiding fumbles—or else he will wind up back on the bench.
"You think about it, man," he said. "You think about it throughout the week: What can I do to get better at it? That was my mindset: What can I do in certain situations to make sure that the ball is not able to even be punched out?"
During practice last week, when he felt himself stumbling, he made sure to hold the ball extra tight because those are the moments when fumbles often happen, with a defender rushing in to punch the ball out.
"So I knew today it was time to take care of the ball when people got around me," Skattebo said.
When his redemptive performance had ended—with the Giants moving one step closer to a stunning NFC East title—Skattebo pondered this well-rounded rushing attack, led once again by him.
"If we can do that every week, then we're going to be happy running backs," he said. "And we're going to continue to kick ass."
Key Analysis
Skattebo's benching against the Saints proved to be a turning point, as the young back channeled his frustration into a career-best outing. The Giants' offensive line responded with its best run-blocking effort of the season, and the team's four rushing touchdowns from four different players underscored the depth and versatility Harbaugh has been seeking. With the trade speculation now quieted and the bye week offering a chance to heal, Skattebo and the Giants appear poised for a strong second-half push.