The Los Angeles Rams looked nothing like the team that was embarrassed in its season opener.
Los Angeles responded with a complete performance on Monday night, dismantling the New York Giants 28–6 behind four touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford, a monster game from Davante Adams and the return of Aaron Donald.
The Rams finished with 481 total yards, averaged 8.0 yards per play and scored touchdowns on all three of their red-zone opportunities. Defensively, they held New York to 182 yards and kept the Giants out of the end zone.
This was the Super Bowl-contending version of the Rams everyone expected to see.
No Puka, No Problem
With Puka Nacua sidelined, Stafford needed another receiver to take control of the passing game.
Davante Adams did much more than replace Puka’s production.
Adams caught eight of his 10 targets for 195 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 24.4 yards per reception. His first touchdown came on a 31-yard pass late in the opening quarter. He added an 11-yard diving touchdown in the third quarter to extend the lead to 21–3.
New York never found an answer for him.
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, finishing with a 131.3 passer rating. He connected with Adams twice, Kyren Williams for a 10-yard touchdown and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson for the final score.
Rams Passing Leaders
Matthew Stafford: 22/31, 327 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT Davante Adams: 8 receptions, 195 yards, 2 TD Terrance Ferguson: 6 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD Kyren Williams: 2 receptions, 12 yards, 1 TD
Rams Establish Offensive Balance
Los Angeles didn’t rely exclusively on Stafford and Adams. The running game controlled the second half and prevented New York from focusing completely on the pass.
Kyren Williams rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries, while Blake Corum added 79 yards on 12 attempts. Together, they helped the Rams finish with 163 rushing yards and an average of 5.8 yards per carry.
The Rams produced:
481 total yards 318 net passing yards 163 rushing yards 23 first downs 8.0 yards per play 5-of-9 third-down conversions 3-for-3 red-zone efficiency
Los Angeles recorded 308 yards on its four touchdown drives alone. Those possessions covered 80, 78, 86 and 64 yards.
The Return of Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald’s return was one of the biggest stories of the night.
The Giants double-teamed Donald throughout the game, limiting his opportunities to reach the quarterback. However, that constant attention created favorable matchups for everyone around him.
Donald still recorded three tackles and one tackle for loss, including a critical third-down stop in the red zone. His impact was much greater than the box score.
New York designed its protection around Donald, and the rest of the Rams’ defense benefited.
Los Angeles finished with:
2 sacks 8 quarterback hits 10 passes defended 3 tackles for loss 52 rushing yards allowed Zero touchdowns allowed
The Giants went 3-for-14 on third down** and failed on both of their red-zone opportunities. Donald didn’t need to record a sack to control the game. His presence changed the structure of New York’s offense and restored the physical identity of the Rams’ defense.
Jaxson Dart’s Injury Changes the Game
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury during New York’s opening possession and did not return. He completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards before leaving the game.
Jameis Winston struggled in relief, completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating was 37.7.
The Giants finished with:
182 total yards 130 passing yards 52 rushing yards 11 first downs 3.3 yards per play 0-for-2 in the red zone Zero touchdowns
Dart’s injury affected New York’s offense, but it doesn’t completely explain the domination. The Giants could not block the Rams, run the football or stop Stafford and Adams.
When Will Myles Garrett Return?
The scary part is that the Rams delivered this defensive performance without Myles Garrett.
Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and was placed on injured reserve, requiring him to miss at least four games. He will sit out the matchups against the Giants, Broncos, Eagles and Bills, making Week 6 his earliest possible return.
Sean McVay has not announced a firm return date. The Rams will wait until Garrett is fully cleared instead of rushing him back.
Once Garrett returns, opposing offenses could face an impossible protection decision:
Double-team Aaron Donald inside or double-team Myles Garrett off the edge.
They may not have enough blockers to do both.
S³ Game Rating: Rams +15
Offense: 28↑
The S³ offensive standard is 24 points.
28 − 24 = +4
Defense: 6↓
The S³ defensive standard is 17 points allowed.
17 − 6 = +11
Overall Rating
+4 offense + +11 defense = +15
S³ Verdict
No Puka, no problem.
Matthew Stafford delivered four touchdown passes. Davante Adams destroyed the Giants’ secondary. The running game produced 163 yards. Aaron Donald commanded double-teams all night, and the Rams’ defense did not allow a touchdown.
Los Angeles didn’t merely rebound from its Week 1 loss.
The Rams reminded the NFL why this season is Super Bowl or bust.
