NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams return to familiar territory in Week Two. They take on the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. The Rams will look to rebound from what can only be described as an embarrassing performance in their 27-7 week one loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants will look to build on their momentum after a 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on opening weekend.
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford had a pedestrian game against the 49ers, completing 15-25 passes for 155 yards and one interception. The Niners’ defense held Stafford to no touchdown passes. The 7 points ended a 42-game streak in which the Rams scored double digits in games Stafford started at quarterback. Stafford struggled to find a consistent rhythm throughout the game, which is a credit to the Niners’ defense and their preparation for the Rams offense. Stafford will need to do a better job of getting more receivers involved in the passing game.
In week one, Stafford completed passes to eight different receivers, though five of them had two targets or fewer. Going into this game, the Rams expect the Giants’ defense to limit the touches WR Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will get. Look for Stafford to get his slot receivers and TE more involved early to keep the Giants’ pass coverage honest.
As a team, the Rams rushed for 122 yards on 29 carries. Head coach Sean McVay stuck to his running game while the game’s outcome was still in question. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 21 carries, 95 yards, and the lone touchdown. In 2025, Coach McVay used 13 personnel, which uses 3 tight ends and one receiver. Look for Coach McVay to continue to use that formation against the Giants. This formation will force the Giants to make a defensive decision. They will need to go to their base defense, which will give the Rams a favorable passing-game matchup. If the Giants stick with their nickel package, look for the Rams to exploit it with their running game.
When Aaron Donald announced he was coming out of retirement to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams, fans were ecstatic. They dream of Donald playing alongside Myles Garrett on the Rams’ defense. That reality will have to wait, as the team announced Garrett would need knee surgery and is being placed on the IR. The team announced the surgery, performed this past Monday, went well. Garrett has already been seen walking without crutches. Garrett will still be out for at least 4 weeks. The Rams will not rush Garrett back, as they want to ensure he is as healthy as possible throughout the season.
The Rams are hopeful Donald will play Monday night against the Giants. Donald has been participating in full practices to prepare for his return. Coach McVay has said multiple times that there is no timetable for when Donald will take the field. The key for Donald will be how his body responds after full practice participation. For Ram fans, look for Donald to suit up and make his 2026 debut on Monday night.
The Rams defense, which many experts praise as one of the best entering the season, struggled in their Week 1 loss to San Francisco. The Niners rushed 174 yards on 30 carries, averaging nearly 6 yards per rushing attempt. The Giants’ rushing attack, led by Cam Skattebo, rushed for 165 yards in their opening weekend win over Dallas. Look for the Giants to test the Rams’ run defense early. Donald’s presence should shore up the interior defensive line and close inside running lanes for the Giants’ running backs. A key part of the Rams’ run defense will be their edge rushers.
With Garrett out for at least 4 weeks, Josiah Stewart is expected to take his place in the starting lineup. Byron Young and Stewart will need to maintain outside run defense discipline and not allow the Giants’ backs to get to the outside. Look for the Rams edge rushers to stretch outside runs by the Giants’ backs and force them to cut back inside to pursue the Rams’ defense. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will need to be mindful of Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart’s athletic ability.
In his second year with the Giants, Dart has shown he can extend plays by escaping the pocket and creating outside the box. Dart used his legs to rush for 54 yards against the Cowboys. Coach Shula will look to design a game plan that keeps Dart in the pocket and doesn’t allow him to escape to the outside. Look for the Rams to use a defender to spy Dart throughout the game.
Against the 49ers, the Rams’ pass defense, particularly the safeties, struggled in pass coverage against the Niners’ slot receivers. Look for the Giants to attempt to exploit this perceived weakness in the Rams’ secondary. Coach Shula can move Trent McDuffie or Jaylen Watson to cover the Giants’ slot receivers if he sees the pass coverage struggle, though Emmanuel Forbes would be the most likely move.
The Los Angeles Rams enter Monday night with the possibility of starting the season 0-2. Though they did not play to their best capability against San Francisco, the team is not hitting the panic button. Coach McVay views their Week 1 loss and performance as an outlier and fully expects the Rams to show the rest of the NFL why they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Look for the Rams to bounce back with a monster performance on Monday night and even their record to 1-1.
Rams 31
Giants 17
