Behind enemy lines: Previewing Rams-Giants with 5 key questions

Following their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers , the Los Angeles Rams will try to secure their first win of the season Monday night against the New York Giants . The Giants , however, look much better than anticipated, beating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, 28-20.

The Rams are back at home this week after a long trip to Australia, so they'll be in front of their fans at SoFi Stadium. The Giants, meanwhile, have to travel across the country for this matchup.

To preview Rams-Giants in Week 2, we asked Giants Wire lead writer Dan Benton five questions, including a prediction for how the game will go.

1. The Giants were incredibly efficient on offense against the Cowboys. Do you expect a similar performance against the Rams?

Giants Wire: I think it's important to remember that the Dallas defense was terrible in 2025 and really doesn't look much better after one week this season. That's not to be a Debbie Downer or dismiss the Giants' obvious offensive improvements, but reality always lies somewhere in the middle. They fumbled four times, and had they lost more than one, we'd all have a very different vision of that game in our heads. With all of that having been said, there is a reason for optimism in East Rutherford -- the offensive scheme was night and day compared to the Daboll era. From Greg Roman to Matt Nagy to John Harbaugh, you can see the many years of experience and success. Still, it's early in the season, and the identity of this offense is only just beginning to take shape. How that translates on Monday night? We'll see, but I wouldn't expect the same level of success or efficiency against a defense that, at least on paper, is better than Dallas'.

2. New York didn't sack Dak Prescott , but how did the pass rush perform as a whole in that win?

Giants Wire: Prescott was quick to deliver the ball, but much like Stafford against San Francisco , he was under consistent pressure. The Giants have enough talent to move players around and set up a NASCAR-like package with Kayvon Thibodeaux inside and both Brian Burns and Abdul Carter coming off the edges. Arvell Reese can also be moved around and generate pressure from inside or outside, which I expect to see a little more of as the season wears on. They may not have had any sacks of Prescott, but they certainly made him uncomfortable. Carter, specifically, has elite talent and athleticism, and has become almost impossible to block one-on-one.

3. Does Malik Nabers look like his usual self to you after coming back from his knee injury?

Giants Wire: He looked better than many expected, but he's certainly not 100 percent. Most players coming back from a torn ACL take a year to truly return to form, so I wouldn't expect to see rookie-like Nabers for a little bit of time. Still, he flashed some of the game-changing talent he became known for in 2024, and his presence alone helped create some mismatches elsewhere. There were a few slips and he admitted to being rusty, but even at 75 percent, he's better than most receivers in the NFL.

4. Who's an underrated Giants player for Rams fans to know?

Giants Wire: Does Patrick Ricard count as underrated? If he did, I would absolutely name him because he's very much a part of what the Giants do offensively. If we have to dig deeper, I would say tight end Chris Manhertz , who is not going to wow anyone with his pass-catching prowess (although he is consistent), but absolutely makes an impact in 12 and 22 personnel. He is an elite run blocker and plus pass protector, and with him leading the way, followed by the aforementioned Ricard and running back Cam Skattebo... Watch out.

5. Who wins on Monday night and what's the final score?

Giants Wire: I'm not ready to subscribe to the theory that the Giants will experience a miracle turnaround in Year 1 under John Harbaugh en route to the NFC East crown and playoffs. However, I am willing to entertain the idea that this latest "rebuild" may already be ahead of schedule. That will still come with hiccups, which I expect them to experience on Monday night in Los Angeles against a starving and angry Rams team that may have Aaron Donald back on the field. Add in the Giants' ailing secondary, and it's a recipe for disaster. Rams 31, Giants 17.