NFL Preview | September 21, 2026
Week 2 closes with a Monday nighter that finally answers a question we've been asking all season: what does the Rams' rebuilt defensive line actually look like on the field? The answer, three weeks in, is still incomplete — but not for lack of trying. Kickoff is 8:15 PM ET on ESPN/ABC from SoFi Stadium.
The Debut Arrives Without the Running Mate
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams | 8:15 PM ET | ESPN/ABC
KEY STAT
7
Points the Rams scored in their Melbourne opener, their worst offensive output in years. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford managed just 155 passing yards, no touchdowns, and a pick.
The Rams' offseason storyline took another twist this week: Myles Garrett, the Defensive Player of the Year they traded for to pair with a returning Aaron Donald, is now on injured reserve after knee surgery and will miss extended time. Aaron Donald — two years retired, brought back specifically to play alongside Garrett — is now expected to make his actual season debut Monday night, alone, without the running mate the whole plan was built around. It's a strange way to finally see him in pads again, but head coach Sean McVay called it "the plan" as of this week.
Los Angeles needs the boost. Stafford's 47.9 passer rating against in the loss to San Francisco was the worst puzzle piece in an offense that scored a single touchdown-less field goal all night, and receiver Puka Nacua (hip) is questionable to go after leading the team in catches that day. New York, meanwhile, arrives with the cleaner tape: Jaxson Dart was outstanding in his first career start, going 23-of-29 for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 28-20 win over Dallas that saw New York convert 9 of 11 third downs. Malik Nabers, playing his first game since tearing his ACL last season, looked comfortable enough (6 catches, 69 yards) that John Harbaugh is optimistic he plays a full workload again here.
New York wins if Dart builds on his career-high passer rating and Nabers shows no setback in his second game back from the ACL tear.
Los Angeles wins if Donald's presence alone disrupts a Giants line still finding its footing, and Stafford looks nothing like the quarterback who threw for 155 yards and no touchdowns last week.
PICK
NYG +7
O/U 47.5
Under ↓
A full touchdown is a lot to lay for a Rams offense that just scored seven points, even against a Giants defense breaking in new pieces of its own. Take the points, and take the under on a Rams team that hasn't shown it can move the ball yet and a Giants team that wins by controlling the clock, not by scoring in bunches.
What to Watch For Monday Night.
Watch Donald's snap count for how much the Rams trust a two-year layoff on a short week of practice, and watch whether Stafford looks like the MVP again or the quarterback from Melbourne. That closes out Week 2 — full 16-game tally and the season-to-date spread and over/under record coming with Tuesday's recap.