Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes for the Los Angeles Rams, who welcomed Aaron Donald back to NFL for the first time since January 2024; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a knee injury during their defeat Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The Los Angeles Rams bounced back from their dismal season opener in Australia to deliver a statement performance in their 28-6 victory against the New York Giants. Davante Adams made eight catches for 195 yards and hauled in two of Matthew Stafford’s four touchdown passes on Monday night, while the Rams also welcomed Aaron Donald back to NFL for the first time in 32 months. Stafford passed for 327 yards for the Rams (1-1), who capitalised after the Giants (1-1) lost Jaxson Dart to a left knee injury on their first offensive series. The Rams played without injured All-Pros Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, but Stafford and Adams put on a vintage display to rebound from last week’s 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne.
Adams’ catches and yards receiving were both his best performances in a Rams uniform, including him tracking down an 11-yard fade in the third quarter, which moved MVP Stafford into sixth in NFL history with his 426th career TD passing. Los Angeles outgained New York with 481 yards to 182, even overcoming two turnovers in a swagger-restoring blowout. “This team, we got to the confidence level that we’re at because of the work we put in, and we’re not going to put any governors on what we can do here,” said Adams. “If you’re trying to be great, be a Super Bowl-calibre team, you’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard.
We can do even a little bit better than what we did, but this is on track with what we’re capable of.” Jameis Winston went 11 of 27 for 111 yards with an interception in place of Dart, who left the field shakily after taking a huge hit from Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart on New York’s seventh play. The night was also a milestone for Donald, who had three tackles for the Rams in his comeback appearance. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who skipped the Week 1 trip to Melbourne, got wild cheers from Rams fans at every opportunity. Adams made a two-handed grab high above his head before taking it for a 31-yard touchdown on the Rams’ second possession, and he made a 64-yard catch on their third drive to set up Kyren Williams’ 10-yard TD catch.
Winston and the Giants’ offense couldn’t get much going after Dart’s exit. Winston threw an end-zone interception to Trent McDuffie in the second quarter, and New York managed only a field goal after Jevon Holland forced and recovered a fumble at the Los Angeles 11 right before halftime, with Donald stuffing Najee Harris on a classic third-down tackle. Stafford put it away with a TD pass to Terrance Ferguson with 8:57 to play. After his first loss with the Giants, coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t confirm Dart’s injury is a sprained knee ligament, but said it’s “in the neighbourhood of it.” “It’s tough to come in, (but Winston) executed and he operated well,” Harbaugh said.
“But as a group, as a team, we just didn’t do what we needed to do to even have a chance to win the game. We didn’t play up to that level across the board.” Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
