‘The Super Bowl Favorite,’ ‘Not the Force We All Thought They Would Be’ — NFL Analysts Divided on Rams Despite MNF Win Over Giants

The Los Angeles Rams looked nothing like a Super Bowl favorite in Australia. Eleven days later, they looked much closer to the team many expected to see.

The Rams beat the New York Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football, with Matthew Stafford throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns despite playing without Puka Nacua . Davante Adams erupted for eight catches, 195 yards and two scores, while Los Angeles held New York without a touchdown.

NFL Analysts Split on Rams After Dominant Giants Win

PFN's Kyle Soppe viewed the result as evidence that Week 1 deserves to be treated as the outlier.

Soppe wrote , "Goofy travel stuff is in the rearview. This team was the preseason Super Bowl favorite. This team deserves to be the Super Bowl favorite. The offense is explosive and it might be their second-best unit when at full strength."

Jacob Infante came away similarly impressed, especially by Adams.

Infante wrote , "As a Bears fan, I've seen my fair share of dominant Davante Adams performances. He was on another level tonight. The Rams bounced back in a major way on offense. This is what we expected them to look like."

Los Angeles' 15,000-mile trip to Australia was one of the NFL's strangest opening-week variables. The Rams were routed 27-7 by the San Francisco 49ers, and PFN's Team Impact Rankings reflected that opener before Monday's result, placing Los Angeles No. 32 with a 62.8 grade.

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Rams Face Much Tougher Test Over Next 3 Weeks

Brandon Astreicher wrote , "Rams took care of business tonight. But I'm not so sure they're the force we all thought they would be yet. Broncos , Eagles, and Bills next up. If they win all three, then they're what we talked them up to be and my SB favorite again. Until then, they're just a good playoff team."

PFN's Brandon Austin pointed to New York 's injury situation, writing, "The Rams took care of business against a Giants team that played without Dart for most of the game. Still not sure what to make of them, but the talent on this roster is off the charts."

Jaxson Dart injured his knee on New York's opening possession and did not return. Jameis Winston replaced him, and the Giants never reached the end zone.

PFN's Zachary Knerr wrote in the aftermath, "Week 2 provided a nice bounce back for Los Angeles, but with the Seahawks firing on all cylinders with Lock under center it won't be as easy as we thought for Matthew Stafford and the Rams."

The upcoming schedule should settle the argument quickly. Los Angeles visits the Denver Broncos in Week 3, the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, and then hosts the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.

Monday restored the version of the Rams that generated championship expectations all offseason. Whether it restored their status as the team to beat will require more than one dominant night against an injury-riddled opponent.