New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 2 - Giants Wire
The New York Giants will go on the road in Week 2 for their second consecutive prime-time game when they travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams.
The Giants are coming off a big home win in Week 1. The Rams, meanwhile, are looking to rebound from a disappointing season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
Despite those contrasting starts, the Giants opened as touchdown underdogs on the road for Monday Night Football. That should come as no surprise. Many viewed the Rams as a Super Bowl favorite heading into the season.
Here are three reasons for optimism ahead of the Week 2 matchup.
Before Sunday’s slate of NFL games, news broke that the Rams would place All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett on injured reserve (IR), meaning he will miss the Week 2 matchup against the Giants. Without Garrett in the lineup, the Giants’ offensive line should have an easier time protecting Jaxson Dart.
Aaron Donald, who announced he would come out of retirement after the Rams acquired Garrett, did not play in Week 1. There has been talk of Donald aiming for a Week 2 return. Even if he does play, it would be his first game back after two years away. With that in mind, he is unlikely to have a high snap count on Monday, which should give the Giants a better chance of containing the Rams’ pass rush.
With Donald likely on a snap count and Garrett out, New York may benefit from facing Los Angeles this early in the schedule.
The Giants are feeling good about their talent after the Week 1 victory. After losing 14 of their last 16 meetings with the Cowboys, they put together a statement game that could carry into Week 2. John Harbaugh and his staff executed a sharp plan on Sunday night, and they may be able to put together a similar blueprint against the Rams on Monday. Momentum is on the Giants’ side, and so is a team that believes in itself heading into Week 2.
The Rams may have been among the league’s highest-scoring teams last season, but the defense was another story. Los Angeles still finished with 12 wins, yet it allowed the 13th-most passing yards in 2025. The 49ers had some success through the air last week. With Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely available, the Giants may be able to move the ball through the air as well, especially if Dart continues to play with the confidence he showed in Week 1.
