Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants Matchup Preview (10/17/21)
When you’re one of the more talented teams in the league, you’ve got to make sure not to overlook seemingly easy competition. The Los Angeles Rams sit at 4-1, coming off a major win against the division rival Seattle Seahawks. After this upcoming matchup against the New York Giants, they’ve got games against the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans before hosting the Tennessee Titans. The combined win total of their next three opponents is 2-13, so one can’t blame the team for looking ahead to matchups against the Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers. But if this team truly wants to top the NFC and knock out the Arizona Cardinals, they’ll have to go into every week competitively.
The New York Giants have had less success this season, to put things lightly. The team is coming off a devastating 44-20 blowout loss against the Dallas Cowboys in which the team’s top quarterback, running back, and wide receiver went down with injuries. The Giants lone win was an inspiring 27-21 upset of the New Orleans Saints, but the rest of the season has been full of heartbreaking close losses and dispiriting blowouts. Dealing with heavy injuries and strapped for morale, the team hosts the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday. Here’s what you should expect.
Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants Betting Odds
Needless to say, this is going to be a pretty one-sided affair. Outside of a clunker against the Cardinals, the Rams have been electric this season in major wins against the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seattle Seahawks. If they can tighten up a disappointing defense and get playmakers like Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey more involved, watch out. The Giants, on the other hand, just have way too much offensive uncertainty to put your money on them right now.
Before the New York Giants injury report read like the credits to a Marvel blockbuster, the line to this game was closer to seven points. However, the Giants now find themselves as 10.5-point underdogs with the likelihood of Mike Glennon taking the reins at QB. I don’t like laying that many points either, but I simply can’t make the case for New York in this matchup. Lay the points with the Rams and you should feel validated once they begin scoring at will in the first half.
My predictions: Rams win 37-21, Rams -9.5, over 48.5 points
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TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, September 17
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
TV Coverage: FOX
Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants Live Stream
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Injuries
Los Angeles Rams: CB Darious Williams (ankle) IR
New York Giants: WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) Q, WR Kadarius Toney (ankle/foot) Q, WR Kenny Golladay (knee) D, QB Daniel Jones (concussion) D, RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) D, LB Cam Brown (hamstring) IR, WR Darius Slayton (hamstring) Q, S Jabril Peppers (hamstring) Q, G Ben Bredeson (hand) Q, T Andrew Thomas (foot) Q, CB Rodarius Williams (ACL) O
Los Angeles Rams Analysis
That offseason trade for QB Matthew Stafford is looking more one-sided by the week. Stafford has firmly entrenched himself in the MVP discussion this season, throwing for 1,587 yards with twelve touchdowns and three picks. Even a finger injury couldn’t hold him back on Thursday Night Football as he led the Rams to victory over the Seahawks.
Stafford’s receivers have been tearing it up as well. Cooper Kupp is leading the way with 37 catches for 523 yards and five scores. Robert Woods and Van Jefferson have combined for 564 yards and four scores as well. Even Desean Jackson is getting in on the fun, recording a 68-yard catch against Seattle. Meanwhile, RB Darrell Henderson has been picking up the slack after the Cam Akers injury, with a 4.9 rushing average and three scores.
As much as I’m gushing over the offense, the defense has been a big disappointment so far this season. After ranking first in the league last year, the Rams defense is allowing 388.2 yards per game with an average of 23.2 points. DT Aaron Donald, who recorded 13.5 sacks last season, only has three so far, while CB Jalen Ramsey has a single pick this year. The team is clearly starting to miss defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who is now the man in charge for the nearby Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Sony Michel
WR1: Robert Woods
WR2: Cooper Kupp
WR3: Van Jefferson
TE1: Tyler Higbee
Los Angeles Rams Team Pages
New York Giants Analysis
Head coach Joe Judge has got to be frustrated with this season. His team sits at 1-4 and has suffered numerous frustrating losses. The Giants had a real chance to shake things up in the less-than-competitive NFC East but now find themselves in the cellar of the division. The injury bug has swarmed the team as well, and that doesn’t bode well for the remainder of the season.
Before a nasty concussion on Sunday, QB Daniel Jones was playing at a decent level, showing off his running abilities while only throwing one pick. However, some have argued the team relied too much on Jones’ legs, which leaves him open for injury. RB Saquon Barkley has shined at times but suffered an ankle injury against the Cowboys. The same can be said with WR Kenny Golladay, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury. While no official announcement has been made, don’t put your chips on these three offensive cornerstones to suit up this Sunday.
The offense was putting up yards before all the injuries, ranking twelfth in the league with 380.6 yards per game. The same productivity can’t be said for the New York defense. The unit has allowed 408.6 yards per game with an average of 27.8 points. That’s not going to cut it with so many high-flying offenses in the NFC conference.
New York Giants Depth Chart
QB: Daniel Jones
RB1: Saquon Barkley
RB2: Gary Brightwell
WR1: Sterling Shepard
WR2: Kadarius Toney
WR3: Kenny Golladay
TE1: Evan Engram
New York Giants Team Pages
Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants Daily Fantasy Picks
While the preseason injury to Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers was thought to hold back this offense, Darrell Henderson Jr. has been a successful replacement. Although the team remains committed to the passing attack, the running back is racking up numbers, with 294 yards and three scores in four games. Against a weak Giants defense, Henderson Jr. should find success. Take him at $6,000 on DraftKings and expect to see some points this Sunday.
Anthony Elio
Anthony Elio is a professional writer based in Denver, CO. While he’s written about everything from video games to couponing in the past, he’s set his sights on sports betting. He also plays drums in the Denver rock band Television Generation.