The New York Giants pulled off one of the season’s biggest upsets with their win over the Houston Texans. J.J. McCarthy got his first start of the season in a Giants uniform and seemed to rejuvenate a beat-up Giants team. Head coach John Harbaugh has the Giants playing tough, and they showed it in full force on Sunday.

One player who personified that toughness is running back Cam Skattebo, who delivered the best rushing performance of his NFL career against Houston, recording 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. His 42-yard run in overtime helped set up Devin Singletary’s game-winning touchdown.

But the play everyone was talking about well after the game was a penalty on Skattebo for lowering the crown of his helmet.

John Harbaugh Addresses Cam Skattebo Week 7 Incident

Harbaugh discussed the controversial play in detail on Monday, defending Skattebo and questioning why his running back was handed a penalty.

“I mean, I understand the idea, but I also understand human physiology and anatomy and the way the body works,” Harbaugh said. “Skatt runs low. You have to run low. You have to run low to protect the football. You have to run low to protect your body. You can’t run in there and give tacklers your chest. When you run low, your head’s down there, too. You can’t move your head off your shoulders. It’s a physical impossibility.”

As Harbaugh mentioned, these players are taught to keep their pads down when they run. Sometimes that means lowering the helmet, which may cause helmet-to-helmet contact. Harbaugh said Skattebo wasn’t trying to use his helmet as a weapon. However, NFL officials didn’t see it that way.

One account posted the play on X, and the footage appears to show Skattebo trying to run the defender over, and that lowering his helmet was the only way to do it.

The penalty reflects the NFL’s efforts to limit dangerous helmet contact, including contact initiated by ball carriers. Harbaugh nevertheless questioned how players with naturally low running styles are expected to avoid such situations.

The Giants HC said he wants NFL officials to tell players and coaches what to do to avoid penalties like that.

Skattebo likely isn’t going to change how he plays because of one call. He’s always been a tough-nosed player, and that is what makes him valuable to the Giants.

He has been solid this season when given the opportunity. Skattebo currently has a 73.3 PFN RB Impact Rating, which ranks 24th in the NFL.

The Giants head into their bye week with a 4-2-1 record and lead the NFC East. This team feels different than in years past, and Harbaugh holding his players accountable may be a big reason for that.

For instance, Skattebo did not get a carry in the Giants’ Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints, mostly because of a costly fumble the week prior. However, he bounced back in a big way this week and seemingly played his way back into the RB1 role in New York.

Even with a revolving door at quarterback, the Giants have a chance to win the NFC East and host a playoff game for the first time since 2012.