A Likely Winner: Rams vs. Giants – NFL Expert Picks & Predictions (9/21)
Written by: Justin Carlucci
Published: Sat Sep 19, 2026, 10:34 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
nfl
Spread
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+7.0
-105
48
-110o
+275
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-7.0
-110
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-110u
-335
You've found my Rams vs. Giants prediction and Monday Night Football expert picks for Week 2! New York travels across the country after a convincing Week 1 win, while the Rams return home looking to erase the memory of an ugly season-opening loss in Australia.
The Giants vs. Rams matchup gives us two teams coming off very different Week 1 performances. Jaxson Dart looked sharp and in control against Dallas, while Los Angeles looked out of sync in a 27-7 loss to San Francisco. Still, this is a much different spot for Sean McVay and the Rams, who are laying a touchdown at home with extra time to prepare.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more for Week 2, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page. Now, let's dive into my Rams-Giants predictions for Monday Night Football.
Rams vs. Giants Expert Picks for Monday Night Football (Sept. 21)
The Giants rolled past Dallas in Week 1, winning 28-20 behind a clean, efficient performance from Dart and a massive day from Isaiah Likely. New York ranked fourth in EPA per play offensively, and the new offensive staff looked organized, aggressive, and on schedule.
Dart was especially impressive. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two scores. Malik Nabers is still working his way back into a larger role, but the Giants had enough around Dart to make their offense feel much more functional than it did a year ago.
There are reasons to pump the brakes, though.
Dallas was a mess defensively in Week 1 with first-year DC Christian Parker. The Cowboys did not generate much pressure, and Dart had clean pockets for much of the afternoon. That is a much easier assignment than traveling to Los Angeles to face a Rams defense with a full week to study a new offense.
The Giants also did not establish much on the ground. New York finished with a negative EPA per rush, which matters because a one-dimensional offense can become a problem quickly if the Rams get ahead early. Again, it's just a one-week sample size though, so you have to take everything with a grain of salt. That's what makes Week 2 so polarizing.
Rams vs. Giants Game Information
Los Angeles had an embarrassing opener. The Rams traveled to Australia and then lost 27-7 to the 49ers, looking unprepared and flat in all three phases. There is no way to make that performance look good. But we're done talking about their decision to fly across the world right before kickoff, right? Surely, nobody will talk about that on the national broadcast.
However, I am not ready to overreact to one ugly game under unusual circumstances. The Rams had a long trip, a difficult opener, and now get extra time to reset at home. Giving McVay more time to prepare is usually dangerous for opponents.
- Location: SoFi Stadium; Inglewood, California
- Date: Monday, Sept. 21, 2026
- Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET
- TV: ESPN
Giants vs. Rams Odds: Spread, Moneyline & Total
Odds via BetOnline.ag, an industry leader in the sports betting world:
- New York Giants +7 (-105)
- New York Giants Moneyline (+270)
- Los Angeles Rams -7 (-115)
- Los Angeles Rams Moneyline (-335)
- Over 48 (-110)
- Under 48 (-110)
Rams vs. Giants Preview: NFL Prediction for Week 2
The betting market has not completely bailed on the Rams after Week 1. Los Angeles remains a heavy home favorite, and that tells you there is still a lot of belief in McVay, Matthew Stafford, and the talent on this roster.
That does not mean the Giants are a bad team. New York looked good last week, Dart looked comfortable, and Likely immediately emerged as one of the biggest weapons in the offense.
The Rams should present a much more challenging test. Los Angeles can create pressure, has more experience in big spots, and gets the benefit of facing a young quarterback after having time to prepare for him.
The Giants are also traveling from the East Coast to Los Angeles, while the Rams have a chance to settle back in after their Australia trip. This is a bounce-back spot for a Rams team that looked terrible in Week 1 but should be much better than that performance suggested.
Puka Nacua's status is worth monitoring after he missed practice Friday with a hip issue. Even if he is limited, the Rams have enough offensive talent to score against a Giants defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in EPA per play in Week 1.
Rams vs. Giants Expert Pick: Rams -7
I understand why bettors will be interested in taking the points with New York. The Giants looked terrific in Week 1, Dart was efficient, and the Rams looked like a team that had no business being on the field with San Francisco.
Best Bet: Rams -7 (-115) | BetOnline.ag
My favorite Giants vs. Rams pick is Los Angeles -7.
The Giants faced a Cowboys defense that was a complete mess under first-year coordinator Christian Parker. Dart deserves credit for taking advantage, but this will be a different level of test. The Rams should be able to create more pressure, force Dart into tighter windows, and make New York prove it can win without relying entirely on the passing game.
On the other side, I expect Stafford and McVay to respond. The Rams were not good in Australia. There is no getting around that. But they have extra time to prepare, return to a much more comfortable setting, and should be motivated to make a statement in their home opener.
Give me the Rams to right the ship and cover the full touchdown.
Giants vs. Rams Player Prop: Isaiah Likely
Isaiah Likely over 43.5 receiving yards is my favorite Giants vs. Rams player prop.
Likely's Week 1 box score jumps off the page: eight catches, 78 yards, and two touchdowns. Expecting another two-score game would be unreasonable, but the usage is what makes this receiving-yard total appealing.
Best Bet: Isaiah Likely Over 43.5 Receiving Yards | BetOnline.ag
The Giants put Likely at a near 80% clip, and he was much more than a traditional tight end running short routes underneath. He was a central piece of the passing game, and Dart trusted him throughout the afternoon.
That role should remain valuable against the Rams, particularly if Los Angeles builds an early lead and forces New York to throw more often. The Giants may not be able to run efficiently, and Nabers is still ramping up, which gives Likely a clear path to another healthy target total.
Give me Isaiah Likely to go over 43.5 receiving yards on Monday Night Football.
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Carlucci spent nearly a decade as a reporter, editor, and on-air talent in the Poconos. His transition into the fantasy sports and sports betting industries began in 2016 with roles at Daily Fantasy Insider and Daily Roto Sharks, which led to positions at Better Collective (RotoGrinders). During this period, his work gained national recognition through regular contributions to the New York Post and featured appearances on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Carlucci has also contributed to Fantasy Alarm and most recently served as Managing Editor at Third Planet Media (Props.com), where he led content strategy, editorial direction, and served as the forward-facing voice of the brand through live streams and podcasts. You can also find his work at Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life and Hard Rock Digital. He's for some reason a die-hard Titans and 76ers fan and has developed trust issues from "trusting the process." Follow him on X @ThejCarlucci!
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