Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season delivered surprises for both the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. While the former earned a somewhat surprising 28-20 home win over the Dallas Cowboys, the latter fell 27-7 to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne.

The Giants and Rams entered the campaign with different expectations regarding what their identities would ultimately be. The two squads’ Week 2 showdown on Monday night may not fully reveal either side's true ceiling or floor, but it should show more of who they are hoping to be by the heart of the slate.

The Giants will continue to establish a strong run game

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) runs with the ball before being tackled during a week one opening game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New York totaled 165 rushing yards against Dallas last weekend. Running back Cam Skattebo led the charge with a team-high 18 carries, 81 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambled for 54 yards while Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary combined for 30 yards on eight carries.

Of course, the Giants hope Dart can use wide receivers like freshly recovered Malik Nabers, veteran Odell Beckham Jr., and tight end Isaiah Likely, but their first game suggests that strength would follow a run-heavy attack.

Head coach John Harbaugh has attempted to bring a detail-oriented and tough approach to East Rutherford. Such a mindset has also lent itself to an offensive presence that is centered around toughness and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

The offensive line performed admirably against the Cowboys, and while they may not be as effective against Los Angeles, it is clear that they are attempting to build a hard-nosed culture that is always ready for a gritty game.

“At the end of the fourth quarter, they had to huddle up. When you see a team huddle up, that’s when you know you are breaking them,” Jermaine Eluemunor told the New York Post following the Giants’ Week 1 win. “I can’t tell you how many times they rotated their D-line. They just broke in the fourth quarter.”

“We could’ve played another two or three quarters,” he added. “They were ready to go home.”

The Rams’ offense will be good enough against the Giants

The Rams’ defense has received a great deal of admiration with the addition of formerly retired star Aaron Donald and presently injured threat, defensive end Myles Garrett, and should figure to be on one of the league’s premier contingents.

This blueprint will become especially important in Week 2 given Donald is expected to make his season debut.

“That’s the plan,” Donald told the California Post when asked directly if he’ll play against the Giants on Monday night. “I’m feeling really good. I feel a lot better now that I got more practice under my belt instead of one. I’m getting in the groove of things, understanding everything a lot better out there, playing a lot more free, a lot more loose and looking more like myself to me.”

Beyond Donald and the defense, Los Angeles’ offense should be a force to be reckoned with. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is still one of the league’s premier signal callers and will ultimately end up connecting with weapons like wide receiver Davante Adams and running back

New York’s defense performed well against Dallas, but Rams head coach Sean McVay will have his group prepared to put up points and remain on schedule. The Giants may not have the manpower to shut down Los Angeles, and could end up surrendering a surprising amount of points.