Cam Skattebo says Giants used home-underdog label as fuel in win over Cardinals

Cam Skattebo said the Giants considered it a mistake that they were home underdogs against the Cardinals. New York responded with a 36-24 win, improving to 3-1 and taking sole possession of first place in the NFC East after four weeks of John Harbaugh's tenure.

Skattebo said the team talked about the pregame line and treated Arizona's trip into New York as a challenge to defend its home field. The result extended the Giants' home start to 3-0.

#A comeback built on explosive plays and a late defensive finish

The Giants were playing without Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns, and they fell behind 14-3 in the first quarter. Jameis Winston helped change the game with three touchdown passes, though he also threw two interceptions.

That stat line marked Winston's 16th career game with at least two touchdown passes and two interceptions, the most by any NFL player since he entered the league in 2015, according to the source.

New York also created three plays of 30 or more yards against Arizona. That matched a notable shift from its first three games, when it had produced only two such plays combined.

The defense closed the door in the fourth quarter by forcing three punts. Deonte Banks then delivered the decisive play, returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown.

#What the result changes

The Giants enter Week 5 as the NFC East leader, but Skattebo stressed that the early standing is not the finish line. New York has 13 games left, including remaining division matchups, beginning with a game against the 1-3 Commanders before contests with New Orleans and the 0-4 Texans.

#Key takeaways

• New York converted a perceived betting slight into a home win and now holds a 3-1 record.
• Winston supplied big-play volatility with three touchdown passes and two interceptions while filling in for Dart.
• The Giants have won all three home games, but Skattebo emphasized that 13 games remain and division games still matter.

#Limits and uncertainty

• This is a source-led brief limited to the original report; it does not add independent reporting, context or projections.
• The source does not provide the specific pregame point spread or further details on Dart's and Burns' absences.
• This brief is limited to facts stated in the original source and does not add independent reporting.

#Sources

NFL.com: Cam Skattebo: 'It's dumb' that Giants were underdogs to Cardinals at home (Kevin Patra)