​The Giants had just escaped Washington with a tie after it looked like star running back Cam Skattebo’s overtime fumble would turn a likely win into a sure-thing loss. As the Giants’ players exhaled, Tyrone Tracy found Skattebo. “Don’t let none of this define you,” Tracy told Skattebo. “Once you make another play, people are going to forget about it.” Skattebo mostly stayed quiet, listening and nodding. “I’m good,” he responded. So how will Skattebo, Tracy and the Giants’ rushing attack answer in Sunday’s home game against the 1-4 Saints? This was supposed to be a strength of their offense, even with quarterback Jaxson Dart out for the season. But that hasn’t been the case through five weeks, though the 3-1-1 Giants remain alone atop the NFC East. And it’s been so much more than Skattebo’s lost fumble in Washington. The Giants currently rank 24th in the NFL with 3.7 yards per carry. They ran for 165 yards in the Week 1 win over Dallas — and then just 52, 138, 87 and 103 yards over the next four weeks. Skattebo, their No. 1 back, is averaging 3.6 yards per carry — down from 4.1 last year, when he burst into the NFL as a back-flipping rookie sensation. In 2026, the Giants’ running game hasn’t been nearly explosive enough. The Giants have run the ball 147 times — with one gain of 20-plus yards. It went for 22 yards — and Dart was the ball carrier on that play. Coach John Harbaugh’s team is 26th in Pro Football Focus’ rushing offense ratings and 29th in run blocking. None of this is sustainable, especially if the Giants continue fumbling. Skattebo has three fumbles (one lost). Tracy has one (which he lost). Najee Harris also has one (which he lost). Still, ball security is only part of the issue. Coming out of Week 5, the Giants ranked last in the NFL in a key rushing stat: just 28% of their runs gained at least 2 yards before initial contact. That’s a run-blocking problem. So it’s worth noting that the Giants’ offensive guards have produced lackluster run-blocking results this year. Francis Mauigoa has graded 51.2, Jon Runyan 44.1, according to PFF. So what’s the solution? More runs to the outside? Fewer carries for Skattebo, with Tracy and/or Harris mixed in? It should all be on the table for the Giants this week. “I totally agree with them for feeling that way,” Skattebo told NJ.com. “Over time, it’s going to change. I’ve been a No. 1 back my whole life. I’ve been a four-down back my whole life. I’ve just got to continue to get back to myself, start feeling comfortable again and be able to take care of the ball and run the ball like I know how to. “I don’t lack confidence. I know I can do it all. I know I can take care of the ball. That’s something I take pride in. I’ve had a couple mess-ups. I wouldn’t say I’ve done anything wrong other than not protect the ball. And that’s a main job in this league. If you protect the ball, you’ll be OK. If you don’t, you’re