Monday Night Football Week 2: Giants vs. Rams Predictions & Best Bets

New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams

Game Line: Rams -6.5 

Total: 47.5

 

We wrap up Week 2 with the New York Giants heading out west to take on the Los Angeles Rams in SoFi. Week 1 couldn’t have been any different for these two teams – with the Giants upsetting the Cowboys in a big win and the Rams falling to the 49ers as favorites. It will be interesting to see how they both respond tonight. Kick-off is set for 8:15 ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. 

 

From a higher level this is a really tough game to break down. The Rams will be without Myles Garrett tonight and I’m fairly certain that Puka Nacua won’t suit up either. We will see the debut of Aaron Donald as he returns from retirement, but what does he have to show us in his first game back? Nacua is the big factor for me, he will impact the Rams offensive output but also their tendencies as well. I could see them skewing even more run-heavy without him – and we already know the Giants want to establish it as well which is my favorite look for the game is the under 47.5. 

 

As noted above, this could be a big Kyren Williams spot with the Rams wanting to run the ball with potentially no Puka. Los Angeles passed the ball just half the time in their first game despite trailing for the majority of the game and I don’t see why that would overly improve with Nacua not on the field. What happens to take his place is the biggest question and edge for DFS and props. Obviously DaVante Adams is going to be counted on more but who steps up after him between the Tight Ends and the likes of guys like Konata Mumpfield? Mumpfield operated as the Adams dupe last season, not Nacua, but he could be counted on for more tonight with the absence of Jordan Whittington. We also have seen McVay’s willingness to play all three TE’s at once, so look for both Terrance Ferguson and Colby Parkinson to get extended looks. I was all-in on Ferguson last week, and I will be going right back to the well hoping Nacua misses. He can take some of those looks and we know he has big play ability as well. 

 

On the New York side of the ball, they did exactly what we thought they would try to do last week and that’s run the damn ball. If they get down early do we see that flip? Possibly but there’s less chance of that with Nacua likely not on the field vs a vulnerable Giants secondary. 

 

I played Deebo to score last week against the Rams – which he did – mainly because I thought this would be a defense we want to attack the middle of the field against given what they invested into their defense and secondary in the off-season. That held true, and that’s where I will be looking at tonight for the Giants. I’m expecting Malik Nabers to play more, but it was Isaiah Likely and Darnell Mooney mostly in the slot for them last Sunday night. I hit big on Likely against the Cowboys, so I won’t press my luck here despite how good his role looked. Mooney always seems to have a big primetime game each season, and he needs just one play to pop with a 12.5 yard aDOT in that first game. 

 

I’m expecting the run game to take priority for both teams early in the game. 

 

Touchdown Prediction: Darnell Mooney

Score Prediction: Rams 20, Giants 13