Skattebo’s Backflip and a “15-Round Fight” Mindset Power Giants Past Cowboys in Harbaugh’s Debut

The New York Giants opened the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and second-year running back Cam Skattebo made his presence felt less than a year after suffering a season-ending open fracture to his right ankle in 2025.

Skattebo, who celebrated a touchdown with a backflip that had fans holding their breath given the recent injury, finished with 81 yards on 18 carries and a score. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, reconnecting with the chemistry the pair showed in 2025, threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

After the game, Skattebo framed the win in combative terms, saying the team intends to wear opponents down across all four quarters rather than land an early knockout.

“We’re in a 15-round fight, and we’re not gonna finish you ’til 15 rounds is over,” Skattebo said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, adding that the team wants to “knock you out in the fourth quarter,” not the second.

He also pointed to penalties as the main thing holding the Giants back from a more lopsided result. “Penalties killed us early, so if we clean up those penalties early, this game coulda been way different, we coulda been up three touchdowns going into the fourth quarter,” Skattebo said.

The win marked a strong start for Harbaugh, hired this offseason, whose team showed the aggressive, physical identity he has reportedly emphasized. Dart’s toughness in particular drew attention as an example of that mentality.

The Giants now face a tougher test on the road: a Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on September 21.

Media Angle: Fox Sports in the Mix

Coverage of the NFC East rivalry and Harbaugh’s Giants debut lands amid active news cycles for sports media companies. Fox Corporation (FOXA), whose Fox Sports arm employs Vacchiano, trades at $65.94, up 1.17% from a previous close of $65.18, with a market cap of roughly $26.8 billion. The company operates in the Communication Services sector, producing and licensing news and sports content through its Cable Network Programming and Television segments.

What to watch

• How the Giants address the penalty issues Skattebo flagged when they face the Rams on Monday night, September 21.
• Whether Skattebo’s workload remains heavy as he continues his return from the 2025 ankle fracture.
• Further developments in the Harbaugh-led rebuild as the season progresses.

Source: original release