Two of the biggest surprises in Week 1 were the New York Giants running all over the Dallas Cowboys while the Los Angeles Rams fell apart during their season opener in Australia.
Maybe you can blame the latter on the Rams' attempt at outsmarting their body clocks, but the team has more concerns than just a sleepy performance down under. Star defensive end — and major offseason acquisition — Myles Garrett has been placed on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery. He'll miss at least four games.
Aaron Donald, meanwhile, is still awaiting his season debut after coming out of retirement. The Rams' offense has also looked better. It put up 290 yards on two turnovers, going 2-for-9 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down in the 27-7 loss to
the San Francisco 49ers.
Maybe having a long layoff from last Thursday's game resets things a bit, but the Giants won't be a pushover.
Big Blue bullied Dallas' vaunted defense in their season opener, including three 12-plus play drives in the second half that ate up more than 20 minutes of clock and resulted in two touchdowns. Some of that may have been home cooking at MetLife Stadium, keeping the offense in rhythm. Going on the road will be a true test of that unit's strengths.
If John Harbaugh's crew can repeat that type of success on the road in Los Angeles, the NFC East might have a true contender in New York — while a Rams team that was the clear Super Bowl favorite in the preseason drops to a dreaded 0-2 start.
Giants at Rams live odds
Opening Lines
- Spread: Rams -8.5
- Moneyline: Rams -380; Giants +300
- Over/Under: 48.5
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Giants at Rams picks against the spread
Adam Kaufman: Giants +7.5
Boy, the Rams should win this game. But more than a touchdown? That's where I get stuck. Los Angeles scored seven points against the 49ers in Australia, and now Myles Garrett is out while Aaron Donald's availability remains uncertain. Sean McVay has an extra day to get the offense sorted after that trip, and I expect Matthew Stafford to look better. I also liked what I saw from the Giants against Dallas. Jaxson Dart kept drives moving, and John Harbaugh's team didn't look overwhelmed by the primetime stage. New York doesn't have to prove it's better than Los Angeles to cash this ticket. We just need Big Blue to give ‘em a game. John Harbaugh teams are 15-8 against the spread on Monday Night Football and 12-5 ATS as an underdog of at least a touchdown. Give me the touchdown and the hook.
Tom Viera: Giants +7.5
Los Angeles looked completely out of sorts in its 27-7 loss to San Francisco in Australia, while New York dismantled Dallas 28-20 in the Giants' statement opener. The Rams also lost star pass rusher Myles Garrett to a knee injury, leaving their defensive front without one of its biggest weapons. San Francisco's pass rush consistently disrupted Matthew Stafford, and New York has the front-seven firepower to replicate that formula. If the Giants can pressure Stafford and force another uncomfortable night, their defense could prove to be the more complete unit. Expect New York to keep this within one score.
Nick Brinkerhoff: Giants +7.5
Giants fans are over the moon after dismantling the rival Cowboys. And why not? Jaxson Dart looked the part, Cam Skattebo stuck the landing and Malik Nabers isn't afraid of his knee anymore. Combine that with a pass rush that has a ridiculous amount of depth, and maybe John Harbaugh is cooking with his new team. The Rams won't have Myles Garrett, and the aftereffects of the Australia trip still loom large. The G-Men will keep this close in Hollywood.
Blake Schuster: Rams -7.5
I'm not ready to call it quits on the Rams after such a bizarre tilt to open the season (seriously, let's never do the Australia thing again). This team is still better coached and has much more talent than the Giants, who set the bar high in Week 1 and now have to travel across the country for their follow-up performance. Plus, Aaron Donald may play in this one. That changes quite a bit for both teams.
Where to watch Giants at Rams
- Matchup: Rams vs. Giants
- Date: Sept. 21
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- Venue: SoFi Stadium
- Location: Inglewood, California
- TV: ESPN, ABC
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams vs Giants spread predictions, odds for NFL Week 2 Monday Night Football
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