The New York Giants will take their new-look offense to Los Angeles on Monday night after opening the season with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, while the Rams return home seeking a cleaner response following a frustrating loss to San Francisco.
Jaxson Dart directed the Giants’ Week 1 win with an efficient performance through the air and a major contribution on the ground. The quarterback completed 70.3% of his passes, a career high, for 230 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. He also carried 11 times for 54 yards, repeatedly using his mobility to disrupt the Cowboys’ pass rush and help New York finish drives.
Cam Skattebo supplied the physical edge in the running game, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown. His score was punctuated by an end-zone backflip as the Giants controlled much of the divisional matchup despite the final eight-point margin. The offensive approach reflected a commitment to long possessions, efficient throws and a bruising ground attack under head coach John Harbaugh.
Los Angeles enters the primetime meeting after its offense struggled against a revitalized 49ers team. Matthew Stafford saw his 17-game touchdown streak end while throwing for 155 yards and posting a 61.2 passer rating. The Rams found more success on the ground, where Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 95 yards and the team’s only touchdown, but the game flow eventually limited their impact.
Rams face personnel questions before Giants visit
The Rams will have 10 days between games and the benefit of playing at home, but several personnel issues remain central to the matchup. Myles Garrett is on injured reserve with a knee injury, while Aaron Donald’s status for a return remains uncertain. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is listed as questionable with a groin injury.
If Nacua is unavailable or limited, Stafford could lean more heavily on Davante Adams and the remaining available receivers as Los Angeles tries to establish tempo earlier than it did against San Francisco. The Rams will also look for Williams and Corum to set the pace against a Giants defense coordinated by Dennard Wilson.
New York’s own secondary injuries could create opportunities for Stafford if the Rams can protect him and revive their vertical passing game. At the same time, the Giants will aim to keep the Rams offense off the field by extending drives, putting the ball in Dart’s hands on high-percentage throws and using Skattebo to wear down the front.
Dart’s rushing workload will again be worth monitoring. He ran seven or more times in six of his 12 starts last season, and five of his 11 carries against Dallas were designed runs. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has shown a willingness to build those calls into the plan, particularly when pressure forces the quarterback out of the pocket.
Donald’s possible return could make interior rushing more difficult for New York, but Garrett’s absence removes a key edge presence for Los Angeles. That could leave Dart with opportunities to escape pressure or attack the perimeter on designed movement plays as the Giants try to prove their opening-week performance was more than a fast start.
