After starting the season 1-0 for the first time since 2022 and earning their first win of the John Harbaugh era, the New York Giants will face the vaunted Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
The Giants look to follow up a dominant victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, where they controlled the game on both sides of the ball. New York has insisted the divisional win will not lessen the team’s focus.
“How we played [against the Cowboys] will not win the game Monday night,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve gotta improve, we gotta keep improving, and we gotta put everything we’ve got into this week.”
On offense, the Giants proved they can execute the new scheme at a high level. Jaxson Dart boasts the highest passer rating of any quarterback in primetime games, and superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers had more time to heal after being a game-time decision to play in Week 1.
New York will also try to lean on a run game led by Cam Skattebo after totaling 165 yards against the Cowboys. The Giants have reason to believe in their offensive line as well after rookie offensive guard Francis Mauigoa became the first offensive lineman since 2018 to allow 0 pressures on at least 36 pass-blocking snaps in their debut.
One of the biggest challenges the Giants will face is the season debut of future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement this offseason. Despite Donald’s looming presence, the Giants are not scared.
“[Donald] still has to play football,” Skattebo said. “He hasn’t practiced a ton; he hasn’t played in a game yet. I’m excited to play against him; he’s one of the best to ever do it… [But] if I have to meet him in the hole on third-and-one, so be it. I have to get one yard.”
The Rams, who reached the conference championship last season, are a talented team led by reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, Los Angeles suffered a blowout loss to the 49ers in Week 1 and have since placed superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett on injured reserve.
Giants’ fullback Patrick Ricard is set to have another strong performance after leading the team’s run game in Week 1. The 49ers used their fullback in motion to expose a weakness in the Rams’ defense, a strategy New York can employ with Ricard.
“There’s so much to build off of… they can plug and piece me in any spots. Motion me, shift me,” Ricard said. “[Coach Roman] said I’m like the spaghetti sauce of the offense, the secret sauce… It’s really an advantage for the offense, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Giants cornerback Deonte Banks is listed as questionable with a calf injury that may hold him out of the contest. For the Rams, star wide receiver Puka Nacua is dealing with a hip injury and is listed as doubtful.
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