The New York Giants went from heroes to zeroes in their Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
The Rams wiped the floor with the Giants, who never had a legitimate shot at winning this game. But the wheels came off early, and the Giants just couldn't sustain any type of momentum to keep up with the NFC Super Bowl favorites.
Here are a few things we learned from the loss.
Things can change quickly in this business
The Giants flew out to L.A. carrying the momentum of last Sunday night's big win at home over Dallas, a team that has owned them for the last decade. They flew back a battered and bewildered bunch after the football gods and the Rams reminded them of their place in this league.
The Giants suffered no major injuries in the Dallas game. On Monday night, injuries were
the whole story.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart was knocked from the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. His status will be determined this week. So will left tackle Andrew Thomas (groin) and linebacker Brian Burns (ankle).
In addition, wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a shoulder issue, but returned to the game. He has one catch for one yard on Monday night.
The Giants feel they may have gotten lucky that none of these injuries are, as head coach John Harbaugh put it, "life-threatening." But the injuries were a quick reminder that "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
The rookies got an NFL baptism by fire
Nothing beats experience. Ask anyone. No matter how talented you are, you still have to go out and do it. On Monday night, the Giants' rookie class got a real taste of what it's like to face top-notch competition on the road.
Inside linebacker Arvell Reese, the Giants' top pick in this year's NFL draft, had a serviceable game on paper, making seven total stops and showing great mobility. But the Rams ran the ball right up the gut on him, and he looked lost at times against the pass. He's still learning.
Right guard Francis Mauigoa had a rough night against future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. His stats also looked palatable, but the tape shows otherwise. He struggled. Even though Donald hadn't played in over two years, he still had the rookie flustered.
Cornerback Colton Hood is an athletic wonder, but to be pitted one-on-one against another future Hall of Famer, wide receiver Davante Adams, was a bit unfair. Hood won some battles, but lost the war. Adams had eight catches for 195 yards and two scores.
Wide receiver Malachi Fields drew the attention of All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and was held to two catches for 30 yards on six targets. He didn't get much separation on his routes, either.
The depth chart is changing
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. only played three snaps. In a game where the Giants could have used his savvy and experience, the coaches decided they didn't need him. Fields played 81 percent of the snaps at wide receiver, Nabers 74 percent, and Darnell Mooney played 72 percent.
Defensive tackle Darius Alexander, a former third-round pick whom most felt would be the future of their interior line, was a healthy scratch. The Giants went with C.J. Okoye and Josh Tupou instead.
Tight end Theo Johnson played only 16 snaps on offense. With Isaiah Likely's arrival, his playing time has been sharply reduced. He has four targets in the game but failed to register a reception.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: What we learned from New York Giants' 28-6 loss to Los Angeles Rams
