When the 2026 schedule came out, Week 2 looked like a perfect matchup for the Los Angeles Rams after their long trip to Australia in the opener. It’s a home game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, giving them ample time to adjust back to West Coast time.
That game against the Giants doesn’t look so easy now. New York knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, 28-20, showing it’s not a team that will be easily beaten this season. Matthew Stafford knows every team is capable of beating anyone in the NFL, so he’s certainly not overlooking the Giants.
He shared his early thoughts on the Giants during his weekly appearance on “Let’s Go” for SiriusXM Monday, calling them a “young team with a bunch of talent.”
"Yeah, I watched the game.
Obviously a lot of people did, a prime-time football game,” Stafford said. “My brother-in-law's the receiver coach for the Giants, so I'm always pulling for him and pulling for those guys, except for this week when we play them coming up. But I saw a young team with a bunch of talent. When you look at the defensive side of the ball, a bunch of pass rushers, I thought they did a really nice job in the pass game against the Dallas Cowboys who have as much talent as anybody in the pass game. I think Dak's played at a high level for a long time now and with CeeDee and Pick and all those guys, they're really talented on the outside. So for them to get that win, 28-20, was a big start for their season."
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was particularly impressive in the opener, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries, which included three kneel-downs for minus-5 yards at the end of the game.
Stafford was impressed by Dart’s play, saying that they’re a “dangerous team” with him running the offense.
"Obviously, the young quarterback, Jaxson Dart, I thought played really well, played within himself, made some plays with his feet,” he added. “They're a dangerous team. I think every team in the NFL, it's what people out there forget, year in and year out going through training camps and watching preseason, think they can pick who's gonna win every game. And that's why we play them. You put the ball down, you go play the games. And I thought the Giants did a heck of a job the other night. I thought it was cool on the weekend of September 11th, 25 years later, for the Giants in New York City to get a win, felt right and felt great to have the NFL have something like that happen and those guys play well."
The Rams opened the week as 7-point favorites over the Giants despite being one game worse in the standings. It helps that the Rams are at home and enjoyed some extra rest after playing last Thursday, but this won’t be an easy win for Sean McVay’s squad.
Being 0-1, the Rams can’t afford to take anyone lightly right now, and they need a win in the worst way possible.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Matthew Stafford shares early thoughts on 'dangerous' Giants
