Giants Receive Warning About Rookie Rb Cam Skattebo's Risky Playstyle
Some tough runs between the tackles and a naturally fiery demeanour quickly endeared rookie running back Cam Skattebo to the New York Giants, but fans of the team have been warned about expecting too much from the fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The note of caution comes from Dan Duggan of The Athletic. He believes “we all were a little early to crown Cam Skattebo as RB1. He’s averaging 3.8 ypc. He had four fumbles last season, so that could be a concern. He was running well early yesterday but the production tailed off as the game progressed. Still think his biggest impact will be in the passing game. Tough for LB/DB to tackle him 1-on-1 in space.”
Duggan posted these words of warning after the Giants slipped to a 26-14 defeat against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. Skattebo made a key mistake when his fourth-quarter fumble was returned 87 yards for a touchdown by Saints safety Jordan Howden.
Although Skattebo quickly took to social media to make amends, the turnover underscored the modest overall numbers highlighted by Duggan. Numbers that reveal how bleak things have been for the Giants on the ground, without injured starter Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Cam Skattebo Still a Work in Progress
Skattebo is an easy player for fans to attach to because of his smash-mouth style. He plays with reckless abandon and is never shy about punishing defensive players, either as a runner or blocker.
This “crazy” block against defensive end Carl Granderson from last week, highlighted by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, summed up the Skattebo effect.
Yet while he’s given the offense an attitude adjustment and extra physicality, Skattebo is primary being counted on to produce as a viable rushing threat. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old is averaging a mere 2.1 yards before carry per attempt and 1.7 after contact, per Pro Football Reference.
Those are solid stats, but far from spectacular. The import is clear. Skattebo’s leading a backfield light on big plays in Tracy’s absence.
Giants Missing Tyrone Tracy’s Versatility
The Giants had been hoping to get Tracy back quickly from a shoulder injury, something that needs to happen to improve the versatility of their running back rotation. A lack of receiving chops was obvious when, as Duggan pointed out, “Devin Singletary’s most notable play was a bad drop on an open screen when lined up at WR.”
Tracy, a converted wide receiver, has the ideal skill-set for the play Singletary let get away. Just as important, Tracy’s one-cut-and-go running style and natural speed combine for a true breakaway threat on the deck.
He was “limited” in practice ahead of the Giants facing the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football in Week 6. Having a full contingent available in the backfield would increase the chances of the Giants forcing a major upset and making up for last week’s mess against the Saints.
Beyond Week 6, a thunder and lightning combination of a more effective Skattebo and fully healthy Tracy would be the ideal engine of an offense helmed by still developing rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
He’s going to make his mistakes, but Dart needs better support than he received against the Saints. Support that can only come first from Skattebo and the other backs on the depth chart.
Bo Nix Draws Attention Before Broncos Take On Jets in London
Bo Nix did not mince his words heading into the Denver Broncos’ showdown abroad against the New York Jets
The Broncos are 3-2 heading into the contest. However, they are also coming off a buzzworthy win over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, with Nix delivering big-time throws in clutch situations before halftime and to end the game.
Still, the second-year passer is looking past the 0-5 Jets heading into Sunday’s tilt.
Bo Nix Rejects ‘Trap Game’ Narrative Before Broncos-Jets
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nix and the Broncos’ offense have gotten off to a slow start, ranking 18th in scoring, but they are 10th overall. Moreover, they have the backing of the league’s No. 2 scoring and fifth-ranked overall defense.
Conversely, while the Jets rank 19th in scoring offense, they are 20th overall. Their defense ranks 22nd overall, and they are the 31st-ranked scoring group.
Still, Nix is giving them the respect he feels they deserve as an NFL team.
“Well, I think in the league, quite honestly, it’s a little disrespectful to consider anybody a trap team. I think they’re an NFL team, and they’re going to have some really good players on their defense, and it’s not really a trap game. I think any game you can walk in and slip up and lose, that’s just the league,”
“If you’re not careful, in a way, all of them could be. Because they’re that good of an opponent. But they’re a good football team. They’ve been close in some games. They’re a couple walk-off plays away from having two or three wins. So, I definitely think that that is something you got to be careful. This is not a team to just toss around like they’re winless, but I think we’ll be ready to go. It’s just another game.”
Nix has thrown for 1,103 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 64.8% completion this season. He has a 568-3-1 line on 65.4% completion over the last two weeks, including passing for 242 yards and 1 TD against the Eagles.
Win Over Eagles Fueled ‘Trap Game’ Narrative
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nix had a historic rookie season, and he led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since the 2015 season.
Their win over the Eagles was a significant step, but beating the winless Jets can be, too.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on October 9 that, after beating the Eagles, facing the Jets “is the kind of situation that leads to people wondering if they could fall victim to the so-called ‘trap game’ in London on Sunday.
“The Broncos took a step forward by making the playoffs last season and that led to higher expectations coming into this year. That, in turn, leads to being part of more games that you’re expected to win and part of reaching those expectations is remembering that you can’t take any wins for granted in the NFL.”
Nix and the Broncos were 1-6 in one-score games in 2024, and they are 1-2 in such contests this season.
Beating teams like the Jets can provide a safety net in case the ominous trend continues.
Broncos Injury Situation Bad News for Bo Nix
GettyQuinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins.
One key situation to monitor around Nix is who the Broncos will replace starting left guard
Whomever the Broncos choose must be prepared to face Jets three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 First-Team All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
He is tied for third on the Jets with 1.0 sacks but leads them with 5 QB hurries.
Williams has been mentioned in trade speculation with the deadline less than one month away (November 4) and the Jets’ season spiraling. If Williams suits up against the Broncos, though, Nix must stay keyed on the standout defender at all times.
