An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Rams Week 2 matchup at Sofi Stadium:
Marquee matchup
Giants rushing offense vs. Rams run defense
The Giants want a repeat of their first-game production, as they gained 165 yards on the ground and averaged 4.5 yards a carry. The Rams do not want a repeat of their season opener, as they gave up 174 rushing yards to the 49ers and allowed a robust 5.8 yards per attempt.
“I think we can play harder,’’ Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “I think we can play better and we can execute better, really at all levels.’’
The Giants received rushing touchdowns from Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary and 54 rushing yards from Jaxson Dart. The Rams counter inside with Poona Ford and Byron Young (and now Aaron Donald) but will be without Myles Garrett (IR).
Four downs
Take care: Whether it was on designed runs or unscripted scrambles, Jaxson Dart carried the ball 11 times in the opener, and there were no signs of any reckless nature that surfaced in his rookie season. He slid when he had to, dove forward without putting himself in undue harm and ran out of bounds when it was wise to do so.
“Definitely take it into account,’’ Dart said. “It’s important to me to be as healthy as I was from the last snap to the next snap. From the first quarter, second quarter, and then you make some adjustments for the second half to go out there and try to do your best to still win.’’
Tough assignment: Whenever the Rams offense is analyzed, the starting point is usually quarterback Matthew Stafford and his two gifted wide receivers, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Nacua, though, is listed as questionable with a hip injury. What should not be dismissed is that running back Kyren Williams has three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and that is what the Rams want to emphasize.
“Sean [McVay] wants to run the ball, to set up his play-actions,’’ Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said. “Sean does a good job of attacking players as well with scheme. I think he’s one of the best football coaches in the National Football League, and we have a hell of a challenge going against this offense.’’
Back at it: Defensive lineman Aaron Donald will get into the Hall of Fame five years after he leaves the game. That honor will have to wait for him, though. He retired — initially — in March 2024 but now he is back and set to make his return in this game after sitting out the opener. Donald, 35, returned Aug. 30, and he will have to be on a snap count.
“I’ll probably be a lot more fresh,’’ he said. “My game plan is, I’m going to go out there and play hard. And when I need a break, tap out, let the next guy go out there and eat, and I’ll be right back.’’ If he is a go, it will have been 981 days since he last appeared in an NFL game.
Travel itinerary: In the past, the Giants usually took their charter flight out to the West Coast the day before the game. Harbaugh, during his 18 years with the Ravens, preferred to leave a day earlier, which is why the Giants on Saturday took their cross-country trip.
“You get a chance to kind of get your clock set just a little bit,’’ Harbaugh said. “We try to get them ready to be at their peak at night. That’s kind of the idea.” The Rams were criticized for leaving only a few days in advance of their 16-hour flight to Australia.
Paul’s pick
Tough assignment here. The idea of the Rams starting 0-2 is hard to digest. And the likelihood of the Giants going 2-0? Well, that would be wild, would it not? It makes sense that the Rams will find their rhythm on offense after last week’s poor showing. The Giants played keep-away on offense to keep the potent Cowboys attack on the sideline. That will be more difficult to achieve this time around.
Rams 27, Giants 23.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
