Cam Skattebo’s impressive 89.3 RBi grade stands out as a beacon of hope for a New York Giants offense in disarray, especially after another inefficient performance from quarterback Russell Wilson. PFSN’s proprietary data reveals just how impactful Skattebo could be in reversing the fortunes of a team desperately searching for answers, and the numbers make the case all by themselves.
The Giants have rarely had a runner put up this type of RBi mark over the last decade, with only Saquon Barkley’s legendary 91.6 in the 2019 season opener serving as a higher watermark.
Can Cam Skattebo Transform the Giants’ Offense?
Skattebo’s 89.3 RBi grade, according to PFSN’s in-depth methodology, isn’t just another high score — it’s the second-highest ever recorded by a Giants running back in the past 10 years. RBi, as defined by PFSN, quantifies the real on-field impact of a running back, measuring their ability to consistently create positive yardage and value, as well as how well they mitigate negative plays when blocking breaks down or offensive schemes falter.
This number, given its proprietary calculation, is especially valuable for front offices and coaching staffs because it doesn’t just reflect yardage totals, it reflects quality of touches and adjusts for situational hardship and defensive strength.
Only Barkley’s explosive 91.6 grade against the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 rivals what Skattebo brought to the table this past week against the Kansas City Chiefs. When a back posts this sort of impact score, it suggests the player is elevating the entire offense’s floor. For a team currently struggling to sustain drives and manufacture chunk plays, Skattebo’s consistency and vision provide a valuable engine for the rest of the unit to build around. In the context of the current Giants’ struggles, that sort of value cannot be overstated.
Contrast that with the team’s overall offensive metrics, and Skattebo’s contributions become even more pronounced. The Giants have ranked well below the league average on PFSN’s OFF Impact (OFFi) metric, which synthesizes all key facets of offensive play: from rushing and passing EPA, to situational execution in third downs and the red zone.
The league average OFFi hovers around 75.1; elite offenses this season are putting up scores above 85. Yet the Giants, hampered by lackluster quarterback play and spotty blocking, frequently languish in the low 70s on this all-encompassing dashboard, signaling a group unable to string together efficient drives or finish in scoring position at league-average rates. New York currently has the sixth-worst OFFi grade in the NFL.
Nowhere is the struggle more visible than at quarterback. Wilson’s 65.2 QBi grade against the Chiefs, another PFSN benchmark, is the fourth-worst of his career. Only three times has Wilson been worse, posting 64.5 in a 2023 loss to Kansas City as a Bronco, 64.2 in 2017 against the Rams as a Seahawk, and 62.7 in 2018 facing an elite Vikings unit.
QBi, as calculated by PFSN, accounts not just for completion rate and turnovers, but also for situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and the underlying efficiency of every throw.
What this means in practical terms: the Giants’ passing game is offering little in terms of stability or upside. With a backfield featuring the dynamic Skattebo, it makes tactical and statistical sense to funnel more of the offensive load through the ground attack. When the passing game is fragile, a back with a sky-high impact grade can be the difference between continued stagnation and a unit beginning to move the chains with authority. Skattebo’s ability to maximize value in difficult scenarios and minimize the damage from blown blocks gives the Giants a safer floor while their passing game gets sorted out.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll seems to see the writing on the wall. After the Chiefs’ loss, Daboll praised Skattebo.
“The run game was a step in the right direction,” Daboll said. “Cam’s a tough competitor. He’s been running hard and has done well in the passing game as well.”
Now, with Tyrone Tracy dealing with an injury, Skattebo will have ample opportunity to take over the backfield.
If New York wants to right the ship, PFSN’s data draws a clear blueprint: ride the hot hand in Skattebo, who is producing at a near-historic rate for Giants running backs. With Wilson’s recent form suggesting more volatility ahead, the Giants’ best shot at relevance starts in the backfield. It makes sense to let Skattebo carry this offense until something changes under center.