We may have just witnessed the strangest football game ending ever. With 12 seconds left in overtime, the Commanders had the ball inside the Giants’ 25-yard line. They seemed poised to kick the field goal and hand the Giants a tough loss. However, in a stroke of luck for the Giants, Jayden Daniels took a snap, got sacked, and just stayed on the ground. That cost the Commanders valuable seconds, and they didn’t have enough time to spike the ball, ending the game in a 27-27 tie.
While the final score may say a tie, this was a moral win for the Giants, as they had no business being in that spot to begin with. With less than 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Giants trailed 27-13. It seemed they were about to blow a golden opportunity to build a division lead. However, they rallied and tied the game. Although they blew a few opportunities, like missed kicks and key turnovers, overcoming a 14-point deficit and not losing the game is a reason to celebrate. Here are the other major takeaways.
We Have to Talk About Cam Skattebo
So far, the 2026 season has not gone the way Cam Skattebo had hoped. During the Commanders preview, we talked about how this was a moment for Skattebo to re-establish himself as the lead back in this offense. But that did not happen in this game. While he had a few positive moments, the bad outweighed them. He had 13 touches for 59 yards and two catches for 12 yards. But the most costly moment came in overtime, when he fumbled the ball with the Giants in field goal range. It would have been what cost them the game if the Commanders knew how to read a clock.
What is really concerning about this fumble is that it’s his fourth and fifth games this season. Sure, only one has been lost, but he needs to fix it fast. John Harbaugh also needs to discipline Skattebo and make it clear this is unacceptable. While they can not bench him because he is the best back on the roster, you can take snaps away. Give more work to Najee Harris and Tyrone Tracy and go with a more committee-style approach. It is not ideal, but something needs to change to try and spark this running game.
Abdul Carter Finally Finishes
One of the Giants’ most impactful players this season has been Abdul Carter. He has been a key driver of the pass rush and is constantly in the quarterback’s face. Through the first five games of the season, he has recorded 16 sacks, which is one of the best marks in the NFL. While his film and advanced stats show a strong player, his counting stats have not, specifically his sacks. He has only brought the quarterback down once this season. But on Sunday, he registered his second sack of the season.
Carter is a game wrecker, but his sack numbers don’t back it up. He doesn’t have the numbers to earn the respect he deserves. He won’t be considered one of the league’s best edge rushers if his sack numbers stay low. But hopefully this sack against the Commanders will finally help him finish plays more consistently. It will open the floodgates and allow him to hit the quarterback more often. This will make the defense even better and put the Giants in a better position to win.
Dru Phillips Has Been the Giants’ Most Improved Player
This Giants team has had a lot of improved players this season. However, none have made bigger strides this season than Dru Phillips. The third-year player from Kentucky has become one of the Giants’ best defenders. That impact showed against the Commanders. He recorded five tackles and four quarterback hits. But none were more important than the two sacks he got. The biggest came late in the fourth quarter, forcing the Commanders to punt and helping the Giants tie the game.
Without that sack, the Commanders might have converted, and it could have cost the Giants the game. Instead, Phillips stepped up when it mattered most. That type of clutch play is what the Giants need. Someone who can make the big stop or the play when the game is on the line. He can do this both by stopping the run and getting to the quarterback. As well as in coverage. Sure, Phillips will never be a star corner, but he can definitely be a strong piece of this defense for years to come.
