There was one priority as the Giants were moving toward a potential game-winning field goal in overtime. 

“Coaches were echoing on the sideline, ‘Protect the football.’ And we just kept running the clock out, protecting the football and the game was over,’’ tight end Theo Johnson said. “I think that’s what everyone was thinking.’’ 

What everyone was thinking changed drastically on the first snap after the two-minute warning, as Cam Skattebo lost the ball when, fighting for more at the line of scrimmage, he was hit by defensive end Daron Payne to cause a fumble that was recovered by safety Shy Tuttle, ending the Giant’s chances for a rousing comeback victory as they eventually settled for a 27-27 tie. 

The turnover was on Skattebo. One of his teammates, though, looked at the play and then in the mirror and decided he had a hand in the demise as well.