Rams-Giants: 4 bold predictions about what will happen this Sunday in the Meadowlands

The Los Angeles Rams will look for their second win in a row after an extended break following a 26-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday night. In that game, Geno Smith took over as the starting quarterback due to a Russell Wilson injury and drove down the field 98 yards to cap his perfect drive with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Seattle fans were chanting “Geno” as the backup QB gave life to a team that was getting dominated in the second half.

And after all the drama Smith, through an interception to Nick Scott that ended the game.

When I say anything can truly happen on Sunday, I really mean it. The Rams are currently -10 point favorites over the home team New York Giants, according to DraftKings sportsbook.

Here are my 4 bold predictions for Week 6’s matchup against the New York Giants.

The Rams beat the Giants by over 20 points

Last year’s matchup with the Giants was a back and forth defensive battle that only yielded 26 points. The Rams won 17-9 but had to rely on a Darious Williams interception to seal the game for the win. On Sunday, LA will have to rely on other players this time around as Williams enters IR and misses at least the next three games.

That should not be a problem this week though.

With Stafford at the helm the Rams have reinvigorated their offensive attack and have proven to be absolutely explosive at any given moment, but in typical Sean McVay fashion can also move the ball methodically down the field to tire out the opposing defense.

The scary thing is that LA has yet to find their true potential on offense, as receivers and quarterback Matthew Stafford continue to develop chemistry with one another and yet the Rams are still averaging 408.2 yards per game.

Week 6 might be the time for the Rams to unleash their dominance against a defense that ranks 29th in yards allowed, 26th in points allowed, and are bad at stopping both the run and the pass game. Los Angeles ranks number two in passing yards, nine in total yards, and number eight in total points for the season. On paper the Rams dominate the Giants in nearly every statistical category that matters, but that does not mean LA is overlooking their opposition this weekend. In a press conference on Wednesday Stafford talked about his next opponent very highly,

(12:39) “You watch New York play, I’m watching their defense and their defense flies around. They got a bunch of first round picks, two really good corners, two really good safeties, some interior defensive linemen that are special players, It’s not hard to understand what the task is at hand and that is going against a really talented team especially on the defensive side of the ball that I am looking at that jumps off the tape at you. We’ll have a big challenge just going on the road to a tough environment.”

The Giants biggest advantage on Sunday might just be the unknown. New York could be without many as of its start players due to injury, including starting quarterback Daniel Jones who looked as though he was improving in his third year, running back Saquon Barkley, and star receiver Kenny Golladay. If Jones cannot start Mike Glennon would get the nod against the Rams. Fortunately for New York backup quarterbacks could prove to be LA’s kryptonite after watching Geno Smith waltz down the field on a perfect 98 yard drive that nearly brought the Seattle Seahawks back to life last Thursday, but that could just be an overreaction.

With so many injuries to New York on the offensive side of the ball and a defense that ranks in the near bottom in every meaningful stat, Los Angeles should absolutely cruise through their opponent in Week 6 and Vegas believes so as well—the Rams currently sit as -9.5 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbooks. I predict a double digit win from LA as they avoid the upset and improve to 5-1 on the season.

Final Score prediction: 45-20

Matthew Stafford connects with eight different receivers

It took five weeks into the 2021 season, but Stafford finally found a target he could rely on that was not named Cooper Kupp. In Week 5 Robert Woods had his best game of the season so far, totaling 150 yards on 12 receptions. LA’s offense at one point looked Stafford-Kupp reliant, but heading into Week 6 Stafford had found another target to utilize in Woods and his growth with other receivers will continue to improve.

“Certain defenses are going to allow you to throw the ball into certain places, Robert was in those places. He did a great job of making the most of the opportunities. Had some great catches going down getting the ball a couple of times, catching and running on some balls. In other weeks there’s going to be other players that gets opportunities based on that coverage... I’m just trying to make sure that I get the ball to the appropriate receiver... I’m trying to do my best and spread the ball around because I do think when we’re spreading the ball around and the defense has to cover and honor everybody that works in the vertical that’s when we are at our best,” Stafford explained on Wednesday.

Last week, Stafford gave seven different receivers opportunities with the ball, finding of course Woods and Kupp, but also connected with Van Jefferson, Tyler Higbee, DeSean Jackson, Sony Michel, and Darrell Henderson.

I predict the trend will continue and on Sunday and Stafford will complete passes to eight different receivers as the Rams offense continues to diversify. It could be Johnny Mundt, possibly some Tutu Atwell magic, or maybe a Jake Funk screen. If there is any game the Rams have a chance to utilize some of their young talent its this week against New York’s porous defense.

Robert Rochell is the new Nick Scott — Gets an interception

Williams will have to watch from the sidelines as Robert Rochell takes the reins in his second start in his rookie career. Against Seattle Rochell had an up and down experience, committing a pass interference call that may have saved a Tyler Lockett touchdown, but also gave Russell Wilson prime field position to be able to cash in six on the next play. He also found himself in the wrong position to defend a touchdown pass from Geno Smith to DK Metcalf in the back of the end zone. Late in the fourth quarter though Rochell made up for some of his mistakes when he defended a pass that was intended for Lockett and denied Seattle the score.

Those may just be some learning pains for a fourth-round rookie out of Central Arkansas in his first game as a starter.

(3:21) “Rookie is just a title... I never would have thought I’d be in this situation this early in my career and when I got that notification of what was going to happen I had to right then put my big boy shoes on. I got to be ready. I got to stand up for this team and all the other guys that’s going out there day in and day out with me. We all represent each other. I just try to go out and there with a big heart and clear mind,” stated Rochell in a press conference on Monday.

With Williams suffering an ankle injury against Seattle Rochell is now the number two cornerback for Los Angeles and will be asked to learn quickly and lucky for him Jalen Ramsey is his teacher. With his first start out of the way, the fourth round pick will be much improved in Week 6 as he lines up across Ramsey in Raheem Morris’ scheme.

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Regardless who lines up under center I predict that Rochell gets his first interception of his career against the Giants. If Jones starts Rochell will be playing against a QB that has only thrown one interception in the 2021 season and will have to dial in to come away with his first takeaway. Against Glennon the job might be a bit easier. In relief of Jones last week Glennon gave the ball up twice to the Dallas Cowboy defense. It may take some help from Aaron Donald and Ramsey, but Rochell could make the big play this weekend.

Joe Judges seat sets fire

New York’s season thus far has been... bad. Their offseason program would have been a Hard Knocks dream as player arguments during practice turned into brawls and a sudden rush of veteran player retirements left the Giants with gaping leadership roles within their roster. The Giants are currently 1-4, their only win coming from an overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, and sit at the bottom of their division. In their most recent loss to the Cowboys rookie wide receiver Kardarius Toney was ejected for throwing a punch at Dallas defender and during a press conference Judge seemed to be a little clueless to where his quarterback was during practice.

With many key contributors injured and possibly missing this week’s game, Judge’s job will only get harder.

With such a terrible start to the season thus far, one has to wonder how hot Judge’s seat is as a head coach. Los Angeles is one of the best teams in the NFL, but a complete blowout on Sunday could be the tip of the iceberg for Judge’s tenure with the Giants. From the outside looking in it would appear the second year head coach has already lost his locker room and two blowouts in a row could spell disaster for the current coaching staff.

The Giants owner John Mara was not shy when explaining his frustrations with his team’s lack of success at the beginning of the season, “I’d be very disappointed if things don’t turn around quickly,” Mara explained in an interview with the New York Post, “I’m starting to get impatient.”

Would he fire Judge after just five games into the 2021 season? Time will tell if Judge can survive the rest of the year, but a Week 6 loss to the Rams could set the head coaches’ chair ablaze.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.