Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary come up big late to give Giants an overtime win over Texans

HOUSTON — Two weeks ago, Cam Skattebo’s fumble in overtime cost the Giants a chance at a win.

On Sunday, his huge run in OT set up a 30-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary that gave the Giants a 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans.

Skattebo had a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter before his 42-yard scamper on second down set the stage for Singletary’s game-winner. He had 17 carries for 124 yards after not having a carry last Sunday following his fumble in the Giants’ 27-27 tie with Washington.

“When I fumbled against Washington, it wasn’t in my mind to take care of the ball in that moment,” he said. “This week, I made sure I took care of it. I can protect the ball if I need to and when I have the right mindset.”

J.J. McCarthy moved the ball effectively for the Giants (4-2-1) in his first start of the season after coach John Harbaugh benched Jameis Winston. He was 20-for-28 for 252 yards. “I thought he did a great job,” Harbaugh said. “He made some great throws. I’m sure he didn’t play perfect, but he played a heck of a football game, and he deserves a lot of credit.”

The Texans (2-5) got the ball first in overtime, but the Giants’ defense forced a three-and-out, with Kayvon Thibodeaux dropping a potential interception on second down.

C.J. Stroud had two touchdown passes but finished with a season-low 153 yards passing as the Texans failed to move the ball for most of the second half.

They tied it at 21-all on Xavier Hutchinson’s 3-yard grab with just under a minute to go. The Giants didn’t get into field-goal range before time ran out to send it to OT.

Houston’s defense continued to struggle, allowing a season-high 188 rushing yards.

The Giants took a 21-14 lead when Skattebo broke multiple tackles on a 16-yard touchdown run with about nine minutes remaining and celebrated with a backflip.

He said receivers coach Chad Hall approached him before that play and told him that it was time for a backflip.

“I knew that means it’s time to get in the end zone,” Skattebo said. “He believed in me, and I was able to make it happen.”

The Texans went up 3-0 after an early field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, but the Giants took the lead when Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored on a 2-yard run. That TD was set up by a 42-yard reception by Malik Nabers the play before.

A 57-yard field goal by Fairbairn cut the Giants’ lead to 7-6 with about nine minutes left in the second quarter.

The Giants padded the lead when Winston plunged in from the 1-yard line for a touchdown about 3 1/2 minutes before halftime.