Rewinding back to Week 1, it would have been a safe bet to say the Week 2 bout between the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams would feature a 1-0 team and a 0-1 team. The surprising part is which team owns which record.
The Rams (0-1) had to wear one on the chin after a sleepy performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, while the Giants (1-0) surprised many prognosticators when they pulled out a win against the Dallas Cowboys. The Rams entered the season as Super Bowl favorites, and they still top the chart even after a slow start, while the Giants have just the third-highest odds to win their division.
The Rams likely aren't going anywhere, and Aaron Donald is waiting in the form of reinforcements. Will their slow start continue
against the chip-on-their-shoulder Giants, or will Los Angeles get right against a team picked more often to miss the playoffs than make them? The Rams are getting more than a touchdown at some shops, but that's not a shock given the game's location at SoFi Stadium.
New York will attempt to scratch, claw and keep the score close, but it may only be a matter of time until the Rams break out.
Rams vs Giants odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Rams -8.5
- Moneyline: Rams -380; Giants +300
- Total: 48.5
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Giants at Rams score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Rams 24, Giants 23
The Giants are going to win the NFC East and the Rams will miss the playoffs. Do I have that right after what we saw in Week 1? Los Angeles' ugly season-opening loss in Australia created legitimate concern, especially with Myles Garrett now on injured reserve and Aaron Donald's return timeline uncertain. Still, the Rams have a talented secondary and an offense loaded with playmakers that somehow scored fewer points than any NFL team to begin the new year. Sean McVay should clean up his team's mistakes, while John Harbaugh will try to carry forward the momentum from a primetime home win over the Cowboys in his Giants coaching debut. Big Blue has plenty of weapons, and a ground game that produced 165 yards should test the Garrett-less Rams front. But, back home with extra rest, Los Angeles should do just enough to eke out a win.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams 28, Giants 17
It's probably time to reel it back in a bit after Week 1. Yes, the Rams' opening statement was certainly concerning. But even with Myles Garrett out of the fold, the Giants' Week 1 performance will be difficult to replicate against an outfit more competent than the Cowboys. So long as Matthew Stafford can avoid the repeated third-and-long looks that could unleash the Giants pass rush, Los Angeles should be able to rediscover its comfort zone against New York.
Nate Davis: Rams 27, Giants 23
I can't fathom the Rams starting 0-2 … Even though they'll be without Myles Garrett and, quite possibly, Aaron Donald again, too. At least their bodies will be on Pacific time as the East Coast Giants come calling. But after getting knocked out by the 49ers in Australia, the Rams should expect to get punched in the collective mouth once again by John Harbaugh's Giants, who showed a formula in Week 1 that could very easily keep this game quite close.
Richard Morin: Rams 35, Giants 21
Let's pump the brakes on the Giants. Sure, I'm one of many that were surprised in the wake of Sunday night's upset, but the Rams are angry, tired and ready to change the narrative. There's a very real chance the Giants run into a freight train in Week 2. The concern with the Rams are tied specifically to how they approached the Australia game; they don't hold any kind of significance to a home game in Inglewood. The sleepiness won't carry over, and Los Angeles will quickly get back on track and make a powerful statement against a New York outfit trying to take one step too far forward.
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
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants at Rams: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 2 game
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