Four fumbles through just five games for Cam Skattebo. Yeah, you read that right. New York’s ‘leader’ in the backfield is coughing up the rock at an alarming rate, and honestly, it’s making us all a little uncomfortable watching it go down. We’re barely five weeks into the NFL season, and this is already a major problem that’s got folks worried about some highly-touted players.
The Giants’ Ground Game Is Getting Sketchy
Skattebo’s production isn’t exactly making up for those butterfingers either. He’s averaging a meager 3.6 yards per carry and has only one rushing touchdown. Only one of those four fumbles has been lost, sure, but four fumbles this early is something you just can’t ignore, especially when the rushing game isn’t exactly lighting it up. The guy still accounts for the majority of the Giants’ carries with 81 attempts, roughly 55% of the team’s rushing. So the opportunities are absolutely there, and he’s still clearly the main man in that backfield.
But here’s the real kicker: remember how he could catch the ball coming out of Arizona State? And his rookie year, man, he was a legit receiving option, not just a screen guy. Well, that ain’t happening this season. With Jameis Winston running the show, we’re not seeing the same commitment to getting Skattebo involved underneath. He’s only got 10 receptions. That’s a huge drop-off in a part of his game that made him so valuable, and it’s a legit cause for panic.
Chase Brown’s Efficiency Is Making Bengals Fans Nervous
Now, let’s talk about Chase Brown in Cincinnati. There’s definitely some panic brewing there too, and it’s not even about his workload. It’s about what he’s doing with those opportunities. Through five games, Brown has 71 carries for 246 yards, averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt. That’s a noticeable slide from the 4.4 yards per carry he put up last season. He’s still getting the ball, but the ground production just isn’t cutting it.
If you watched the game last Sunday, Samaje Perine looked noticeably better between the tackles. Perine ran for 68 yards and caught a touchdown pass, while Brown only managed 39 rushing yards. That’s a major red flag, because Brown’s fantasy value really banks on him holding down a substantial role. Look, nobody’s saying Perine is about to take over, especially with Brown’s 24 receptions through five games keeping his receiving role strong. But Brown hasn’t been good as a runner, plain and simple. If Perine starts snatching away rushing attempts, short-yardage chances, and even some of that precious receiving work, Brown’s whole situation changes big time. It’s not far-fetched at all. His passing game involvement has been his safety net, and we absolutely can’t afford to see that net shrink. While you probably shouldn’t sell him at a discount just yet due to his overall involvement, those efficiency concerns are absolutely real. Perine’s performance has made this a conversation that the Bengals, and fantasy owners, gotta have.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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