The vibes surrounding the New York Giants are so good that even a questionable John Harbaugh decision is being spun into a positive throughout the media. Following a costly fumble versus the Washington Commanders in Week 5, Cam Skattebo received only a handful of snaps and zero touches in a rough Week 6 loss versus the New Orleans Saints. This “punishment,” as the second-year running back described it, made little sense given the backfield's struggles.

Any additional burst of energy would have been welcome early in that slopfest. Harbaugh oddly claimed that the near-nonexistent Skattebo showing was not by design. Many fans were left rolling their eyes and scratching their heads. But was the Super Bowl 47 champion merely playing the long game? Whether or not he actually thought the sparse playing time would light a fire under Skattebo is not important to fans. They are just thrilled with the results.

Skattebo played with defiance, undeniable intensity and sheer power during the Giants' 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and accumulated 124 rushing yards. The No. 105 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft scored a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and set up Devin Singletary's eventual game-winning score with a career-long 42-yard run.

Young quarterback J.J. McCarthy also flourished in Houston, completing several precise throws that helped the Giants reinforce their lead in the NFC East. Prominent sportscaster and host Kay Adams believes that Skattebo's de facto benching had a huge influence on this latest victory, and on the season going forward.

“There's this butterfly effect that's happened,” Adams said on her show, “Up & Adams.” “I don't condone benching a player for a fumble. I don't know if it works. However, the decision to bench Cam Skattebo sort of saved the Giants' season. Hear me out. I don't think New Orleans gets the massive lead last week if Skatt is involved…. And that means that J.J. McCarthy does not get the opportunity to show out and then force the Giants to start him.

“I do need to see way more, but let's just earmark this as the potential Jim Harbaugh punching Jim Kelly or Mo Lewis ripple-effect vibe that might be happening.”

Here's how benching Cam Skattebo SAVED the Giants Season 🔵🔴@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/wT3vTRWL3d

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 26, 2026

Many fans are arguing that John Harbaugh gave Skattebo the wake-up call he needed, so credit Kay Adams for offering an original take on the matter. Former Indianapolis Colts QB Jim Harbaugh (John's younger brother) suffered a hand injury during a physical altercation with Buffalo Bills legend and then-NBC analyst Jim Kelly, causing him to miss the final stretch of the 1997-98 NFL season. Indy plunged to 3-13 and ultimately used the No. 1 draft pick on Peyton Manning.

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Mo Lewis, an All-Pro linebacker for the New York Jets, knocked New England Patriots' Drew Bledsoe out of a 2001 game and forced head coach Bill Belichick to insert Tom Brady at quarterback. Brady is widely regarded as the greatest player of all-time and Peyton Manning is an icon in his own right. They are both still prominently involved in football today.

If the Cam Skattebo benching produces even remotely the same type of historic impact, Giants fans will lose their minds. Can a miserable afternoon in the Meadowlands actually be the catalyst for a genuine Big Blue rebirth? Call it hyperbole or just plain fantasy, but there is no reason in being pessimistic right now.

Following two of the worst seasons in franchise history, New York is presently favored to win its first divisional title in 15 years.