Skattebo criticizes NFL after penalty in Giants win

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo criticized the NFL after officials penalized him for unnecessary roughness during the team’s 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on October 25, a call that erased a substantial first-quarter gain and cost New York 15 yards. Skattebo had taken a handoff, found a gap and lowered his helmet as he ran into Texans safety M.J. Stewart. Officials ruled that he led with his helmet and called unnecessary roughness. The penalty turned what reports described as a seven-to-eight-yard run into a 15-yard loss. After the game, Skattebo said the league promotes his physical running but also penalizes or fines him for it. He said he would continue running hard, even if that meant being flagged or fined. No NFL decision on further discipline for this play was reported. The penalty came during a productive outing for Skattebo, who finished with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown. In overtime, his 42-yard run helped set up Devin Singletary’s 30-yard touchdown, which sealed the Giants’ victory. The game followed a Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints in which Skattebo had no carries; Giants coach John Harbaugh had said that the lack of runs was not...