The Los Angeles Rams having to give up a home game to travel across the world in Week 1 to face the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia has been called the worst case scenario for Sean McVay. Given that disadvantage, then perhaps an extra day of rest and a home game against the New York Giants to follow is the “best case scenario” under those circumstances.
The Rams are rumored to be hosting the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 2, which John Breech of CBS Sports called the “best case
scenario” because L.A. will have slightly more rest than if they played on Sunday and will be at home against a team that had to fly across the country. And of course, the Giants were one of the worst teams in the NFL last year and for the past decade.
The Giants have a new head coach, the highly-respected John Harbaugh, but how much franchise development will he have been able to accomplish in one week?
Quarterback Jaxson Dart was better than expected as a rookie in 2025, but has a long ways to go to establish himself as a long-term NFL starter. It is also improbable that star receiver Malik Nabers will be back from a torn ACL at the beginning of the season.
The Giants had the 32nd-ranked run defense last season in terms of yards per carry allowed. It could be an ideal setup for Kyren Williams and McVay’s 13-personnel heavy offense.
Facing the 49ers in Australia in Week 1 was the last thing that McVay wanted. But without any choice in the matter, then a team that has lost at least 10 games in 10 of the last 12 seasons is the NFL’s way of saying, “We’re sorry”.
