Prior to the start of the season, the Los Angeles Rams were the favorites to win the Super Bowl while the New York Giants had a plethora of questions. Could John Harbaugh turn around an organization that had one winning season in the last nine campaigns? Would Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers be healthy? Could Jaxson Dart stop ramming his head into brick walls?
After Week 1, the Giants were the team that looked like a Super Bowl contender while the Rams looked lifeless and discombobulated. Granted, the Cowboys may not be good while the Rams had to play in Australia, but no excuses on these streets.
That said, it’s only one week, and one week does not make a season, but it’s also the only data point that we have so far.
Dart was an efficient 23-of-29 for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 54 yards. Skattebo carried 18 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Nabers garnered nine targets and caught six for 69 yards, but it was tight end Isaiah Likely who smashed, hauling in all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants racked up 29 first downs and won the time of possession, 36:40 to 23:20.
As efficient and in-control as the offense was, it was the defense that was most impressive. Dallas has an excellent quarterback with a bevy of offensive weapons, yet Dak Prescott could only muster 175 yards while averaging 5.1 yards per completion. The rushing attack was limited to 69 yards.
Should we completely disregard the Week 1 game for Los Angeles? The Rams played a 49ers team that is intimately familiar with them. The Los Angeles staff made the decision to arrive in Australia a few days before the game while the 49ers were there for a week. L.A. didn’t have Aaron Donald either.
I’m willing to overlook it and I think we see a version of the Rams we expected coming into the season for this one, especially since this game will be in Los Angeles. That said, no Myles Garrett in this one, although Aaron Donald is expected to play, but there is uncertainty as to his workload and effectiveness. The bigger story, though, is the health of Puka Nacua, who is a game-time decision.
DraftKings Sportsbook has LAR -6.5 over NYG with the total at 47.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (NYG @ LAR)
Giants vs. Rams DraftKings Showdown Captain’s Picks
Jaxson Dart ($14,700 CP): Matt Nagy did a fantastic job in Week 1, controlling the game and allowing Dart to do his thing without being a maniacal berserker. And I think Nagy will look at what San Francisco did against the Rams defense and replicate some of the quick-hitting route concepts. But what makes Dart most dangerous is what he can do on the ground, and Nagy still designs some plays for him to rumble. That dual-threat ability is what makes Dart so juicy for fantasy.
Best UTIL Plays for Giants vs. Rams
Isaiah Likely ($7,400): Likely was second on the team with eight targets, with four of those in the red zone. He finished Week 1 with eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He’s big, explosive and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. It also helps that Dart looks longingly toward him when dropping back.
Davante Adams ($8,800): Adams curiously only played 54% of the snaps in Week 1 and did not garner a red zone target, as Sean McVay went with three tight ends often. I’m not betting on a repeat of that game plan, especially since it was putrid. Last season, Adams garnered 114 targets with a team-leading 34 red zone looks, despite missing three games. In addition, there is an upside scenario for getting peppered with targets since Puka Nacua is a game-time decision.
Malachi Fields ($5,600): Fields was on the field for 72% of the snaps in Week 1. The 50 total snaps were the most of all position players outside of Dart. Fields was drafted in the third round of the 2026 draft and is massive at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds. He garnered four targets in Week 1 and converted those into two catches for 25 yards.
Giants vs. Rams DFS Fades
Matthew Stafford ($10,000): It’s difficult for Stafford to have ceiling games because he doesn’t contribute much on the ground. While he may throw a few touchdowns in this one, it’s unlikely he pays off his price, especially since the Giants were able to neutralize Dak Prescott last week. In addition, I do like the Rams rushing attack to have a lot of success.
Giants vs. Rams Showdown Game Script
I expect the Rams to play much better in this one, on both sides of the ball. That said, I was impressed with the Giants. You know that a John Harbaugh-led team will be fundamentally sound and not beat themselves. The defense has talent while the offense showed that they could control the game. I initially wanted to back the upset, but I do think the Rams squeak out a tight, closely contested affair in their home opener.
Final Score: Rams 27, Giants 24
