GIANTS (1-0) vs RAMS (0-1)
When: Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: ESPN/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 382, 226
Line: Rams by 7 points
Notable injury designations
Rams: OUT: S Kamren Kinchens (hamstring); DOUBTFUL: WR Jordan Whittington (quadriceps); QUESTIONABLE: WR Puka Nacua (hip).
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Giants: QUESTIONABLE: DB Tae Banks (calf), LB Micah McFadden (neck).
What’s at stake? It will have been 10 days of narratives and discourse about the Rams’ disappointing season opener in Australia, in which the San Francisco 49ers thoroughly handled them, 27-7. Dropping the home opener would send such conversations into hysterics, considering the star-powered expectations attached to the Rams in 2026. Regardless of the result on Monday, a five-alarm fire of reactions would be guaranteed if the Rams don’t look up to snuff against an improved, but still young, Giants squad.
Who’s better? One week into the season, it’s still too early to look at statistics to decide a question like this, but on paper, the Rams should be the clear favorites. Consistency and talent is the full picture for the Rams on offense, while on defense, even though they lost Myles Garrett to knee surgery earlier this week, Aaron Donald is ready to step up in his return to the NFL. Under new head coach John Harbaugh, the Giants showcased a promising formula with their young duo, quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cameron Skattebo, leading the way. If they can beat the Rams, they’ll have the league on notice.
Matchup to watch: The Rams’ wide receiver corps against the Giants’ secondary. With Whittington listed as doubtful for Monday and a star in Nacua listed as questionable, the Rams will likely be pushed into their depth on Monday. Not to mention, on the opposing side of the equation, the Giants are without cornerback Deonte Banks, the heart of their secondary. The Rams brought back Tutu Atwell in a trade that happened the day before roster day, and they might have to lean on the likes of him, rookie wide receiver CJ Daniels and speed threat Xavier Smith should the pair of wideouts be unable to suit up on Monday night.
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Rams win if: They’re able to wash away a bitter afternoon at Melbourne Cricket Ground where they, as Rams coach Sean McVay admitted earlier this week, never found a rhythm. The Rams were always going to be Super Bowl favorites with their impressive roster, but now they’ve got to show quickly that a bounce back is in order.
Fantasy sleeper: Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson. If Nacua is unable to play with his ailing hip, look for quarterback Matthew Stafford to target his lengthy tight end in response. Last season, Stafford and Ferguson built a connection in the tight end’s rookie year, and although Ferguson didn’t have any catches in Week 1, that should change with different circumstances caused by the injury report.
Prediction: Rams 28, Giants 17