EAST RUTHERFORD - This was the worst performance of the John Harbaugh era for the New York Giants.
And truth be told, the way things played out in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, it's going to be hard to remember - and completely irrelevant - that the Giants actually controlled the game for the better part of two quarters.
And the reality that J.J. McCarthy led a wild comeback in relief of Jameis Winston, even getting one final throw into the end zone that could have set the Giants up for a miracle. Unfortunately, Isaiah Likely could not come down with the prayer.
The Giants (3-2-1) lost for the first time since Week 2 in Los Angeles, when they lost quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season and all hope for the season was seemingly gone. After this one, the season feels just as empty.
Here's a look at what we learned as the Saints rolled the Giants and handed them their first defeat at MetLife Stadium this season.
How the bottom fell out so quickly
The Giants were ahead 10-0 with 1:18 left in the first half when the Saints sent Daniel Carlson out for a 58-yard field goal try. He had missed one earlier, and I was having flashbacks to the Tennessee game when a gamble by Titans coach Robert Saleh to attempt a long field goal late in the second quarter backfired, leading to points for the Giants.
This time, Carlson nailed the kick to cut the Saints' deficit to 10-3.
And then the bottom fell out.
Charlie Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the turnover led to a Saints' touchdown on fourth and goal, and a halftime tie. It's as if the clock struck midnight on the Giants from that point. Missed assignments. Mistakes. Pre-snap penalties. Two Jameis Winston interceptions. No running game.
Cam Skattebo served serious penalty from OT fumble
Cam Skattebo played a handful of snaps in the first quarter, including as a decoy on the Giants' longest run of the day, a 20-yard reverse by receiver Darnell Mooney. But he did not get one touch all game - not a carry, not a target in the passing game - and it's clear that was the unspoken plan from jump after Skattebo's fumble in overtime against Washington cost the Giants a chance at a game-winning field goal in a game they eventually tied.
It's become obvious that the Giants' running game is nowhere close to what it was in Week 1 against the Giants. Very little is working, and to take Skattebo out of the mix - he brings a jolt typically when he touches the ball - limits an already punchless ground attack.
Something has to change. Could the Giants make a move at the position via trade?
When Jameis Winston isn't clicking ...
For the first time since the Rams' loss, Jameis Winston did not look comfortable. He turned the ball over with a pair of interceptions in the second half and the passing game stalled out in the second half.
We've been waiting to see when that door for J.J. McCarthy would crack open again. Did McCarthy's touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely do that? Harbaugh is going to get those questions.
What does J.J. McCarthy bring?
With the lack of a running game, McCarthy's mobility in theory adds another dimension. That's why the Giants have tried to use a package in which he replaces Jameis Winston at quarterback.
And yes, it was in chase mode, totally get that: but when McCarthy got out there and was asked to run the offense, he gave the Giants a spark. He finished 11-of-21 for 243 yards and a touchdown, and he got Malik Nabers going. The Giants' star receiver finished with his third consecutive 100-yard game with 12 catches on 15 targets for 165 yards.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What we learned in NY Giants' 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints