The NFL is now looking at a missed facemask penalty involving Cam Skattebo after Sunday night’s Giants-Cowboys game, and the replay made the whole sequence look hard to ignore.
It happened early, on New York’s second offensive possession, during a critical third-down snap. Skattebo took the handoff at his own 44-yard line, got swallowed up for no gain, and immediately sprang up yelling at the nearby referee.
The reason was obvious on the broadcast: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams had grabbed and twisted his helmet, leaving Skattebo with a bloodied nose and forcing him off the field briefly. No flag came out.
The missed call didn’t stop the Giants from trying to move on, but it did leave them with a punt. Dallas then answered on its next possession to tie the game at 7-7.
Even without a penalty on the field, the league can still fine Williams if it reviews the play. Per the league’s website, the first facemask offense carries a $11,941 fine, while a second offense is $17,911.
For Skattebo, though, the night was also a strong return to the lineup. In his first official game back from injury, the second-year running back wasted no time setting the tone.
He finished with a game-high 81 rushing yards and opened the scoring by powering in from 3 yards out on the first drive. He punctuated the touchdown with a backflip in the end zone, then kept bringing the same physical edge throughout New York’s 28-20 divisional win.
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Cam Skattebo Took A Brutal Shot And Giants Fans Want Answers
Cam Skattebos afternoon against the Cowboys had the kind of edge that tends to stick with a team long after the final whistle. On a key third-down snap, the Giants running back came away with a bloodied nose after Dallas defensive tackle Quinnen Williams grabbed his facemask, and no penalty was called on the play even as New York was trying to keep a drive alive. Skattebo still did his part in the win, finishing with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Giants 28-20 victory.
The missed call only sharpened the focus around a play that already felt pivotal in the moment, and the NFL is now reviewing Williams for possible discipline. For the Giants, the larger issue is familiar enough: taking the win while still wondering how a shot like that went unflagged on such an important down. Giants fans, naturally, are left waiting to see whether the leagues review brings any answer at all. [Read more 🡒]
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Before kickoff at MetLife Stadium, a five-member NYPD-FDNY group performed the national anthem a cappella as part of the nights 9/11 remembrance. It set a more solemn tone for a marquee division matchup, even as the broadcasts opening moments ended up becoming a talking point for reasons that had nothing to do with the game itself. [Read more 🡒]