big blue's baffling benchings

This weekend, DomwithaBlog got the opportunity to travel to Green Bay to watch Sunday Night Football against the Cowboys. This resulted in a successful Cowboys hate watch but unfortunately caused a delay in my weekly article. For that, I apologize. But after rewatching the game a few times, I'm ready to deliver my analysis.

This one started essentially the exact opposite of every other Giants game under Jameis so far. He made on-target throws, looked confident in the pocket, and took what the defense gave him rather than trying to force plays downfield.

He used the dump-off pass to the running backs to his advantage, but with one glaring difference. Cam Skattebo, the Giants' starting RB, was glued to the bench all day long, getting zero carries and zero targets in the passing game, as backups Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary led the way in the lackluster run game. 

(image via Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

That said, this improved Jameis got Big Blue out to an early 10-0 lead, quickly putting themselves in the driver's seat. But things took a turn late in the second when, in a 10-3 game, Giants' new special teamer Charlie Jones fumbled a punt, giving New Orleans another opportunity in plus territory. The Saints capitalized with a TD to Bryce Lance, his first career NFL score.

With the score now tied 10-10, things quickly went downhill.

The Saints opened up the second half with two quick TDs, which in turn led to the return of the Jameis we are accustomed to, forcing the ball downfield. He threw two interceptions, the second leading to a fourth unanswered TD, making the score 34-10 with just 12 minutes left.

At this point, John Harbaugh decided it was time to switch things up, giving JJ McCarthy his first real snaps as the QB of the New York Giants.

He got off to a slow start with a pick on his first drive, but after the Big Blue defense got him the ball back again, he got into a groove.

He looked to have a nice connection with Malik Nabers and threw a beautiful 24-yard TD pass to Isaiah Likely. He threw for 243 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter and added 26 yards on the ground. He led the Giants to within a score, with the G-Men trailing 34-27 with under a minute left. The comeback fell just short on a fourth-and-one at the Saints' 14-yard line, as McCarthy threw a prayer that just missed Likely in the end zone.

Now, do I think McCarthy is ready to be the guy for the rest of the year? No. Sure, he looked great, but he still has a lot to learn, and Jameis has played well enough to remain the starter for at least the next game. But it is nice to know that JJ is at least comfortable enough to make some big plays if it does get to that point.

If I had to guess, we'll see Winston in Houston next Sunday, and if he struggles, Big Blue could look to JJ moving forward after the Week 8 bye. 

(image via Bello / Getty Images)

And since the Skattebo story has been blown so far out of proportion, I'll end with my take on that. As much as I love Skattebo, he cost the Giants the game in Washington with his fumble in OT. He deserved some kind of benching, not necessarily just as punishment, but to get his mind right.

After the game, Harbaugh said, "It was not by design. I mean, all those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could kinda get a hot hand and earn it. Nobody's really taking the bull by the horns..."

And I actually think he's telling the truth. In my eyes, Skatt was given a light first-half benching that would lead to him getting more snaps in the second half. Then, with the score being what it was, the receiving backs were given the majority of snaps to try and get the team back in the game.

Especially with Big Blue cutting Najee Harris as I am typing this, I think Skattebo will be just fine and eventually earn his starting spot back within the next week or so, and likely split with Tracy for the time being.