The Rams finally looked like the team they were supposed to be, and the Giants paid for it while also losing Jaxson Dart to injury.
Los Angeles hammered New York 28-6 on Monday night, getting the kind of clean, convincing win it badly needed after a rocky start to the season. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes and moved into sixth place on the NFL’s career passing TD list, while Davante Adams was the engine of the offense with 195 receiving yards and two scores.
The Giants had far more to worry about than the final score. Dart exited early in the first quarter with what is believed to be a sprained MCL, and he is expected to have an MRI on Tuesday. New York also saw Malik Nabers, Andre Thomas and Brian Burns get banged up.
Week 2 already left several teams waiting on quarterback injury updates, and there’s more clarity now on Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Williams got encouraging news on his hamstring injury, though he may still miss some time. Daniels, meanwhile, is seeking expert opinions after dislocating his elbow.
Michael Penix Jr. is set to be back under center for Atlanta in Week 3. After sitting out the first two games, Penix will start Thursday night at Lambeau Field against the Packers.
He was limited in training camp while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in November, but he is now back at full health. That comes at a good time for the Falcons, who suffered a brutal loss to the Panthers in Week 2.
On the college football side, Georgia is climbing in the CBS Sports CFB Power Rankings and is up to No. 2 after a 45-17 win at Arkansas. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents by 138 points through three weeks and have looked sharp through 12 quarters, even if the schedule hasn’t been a grind.
Brandon Marcello noted that Georgia “took care of business” in Fayetteville, ran the ball “incessantly” early, and has now won 12 straight SEC openers. Kirby Smart also improved to 28-0 against unranked teams.
Next up is Oklahoma, which fell three spots after struggling with New Mexico.
Texas A&M, on the other hand, took a hit in the rankings after getting handled by Kentucky at Kyle Field. The Aggies dropped 13 spots in the CBS Sports 138.
Elsewhere in the college football conversation, Arch Manning is still drawing NFL Draft scrutiny with seven months to go until Roger Goodell steps up in Washington, D.C. Ryan Wilson said there’s no reason to panic, but he pointed to some concerns about Manning’s first-round case, especially his efficiency from clean pockets.
Wilson wrote: “So far, though, the play hasn't matched those expectations. Manning is near the bottom in yards per attempt, average depth of target, passing grade and EPA per dropback.
At the same time, he's near the top in time to throw -- and that's the disconnect: he's holding the ball like a quarterback hunting big plays, but the results look like one of the least aggressive passing attacks in the group.” Manning gets another major test this weekend when No.
1 Texas visits No. 14 Tennessee in one of a record-setting four top-25 SEC matchups.
In the women’s game, the Liberty are making a late push. With only a few days left in the WNBA regular season, New York has moved into the top five of the power rankings, and Breanna Stewart has kept the team’s hopes of a top-four seed alive. Dawn Staley has also backed A’ja Wilson in the MVP race.
And there’s no shortage of other storylines across the sports landscape: Colston Loveland’s slow start with the Bears, J on Sumrall’s “good drugs” line about the Ole Miss spread, Paul Skenes and his 2026 velocity concerns, the Pistons’ latest contract offer to Jalen Duren, the Clippers naming an interim governor while Steve Ballmer serves his suspension, and more.
In Other News...
Rams Send A Clear Message About Their Linebacker Concerns vs Giants
The Rams added another layer of insurance to their linebacker room on Monday by activating Elias Neal from the practice squad before facing the Giants in prime time. With Omar Speights and Nate Landman both working through injuries but still expected to be active, Los Angeles made sure it would not be short on bodies at a spot that has been under watch heading into the matchup.
Neal, an undrafted free agent signed in 2024, gives the Rams extra depth and special teams help, which can matter just as much in a game where the margins are expected to be tight. Even with the injured linebackers on track to play, the move reflects a practical approach from the Rams as they try to keep their defense steady for Monday night. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Have One Monday Night Scoring Edge Fans Should Watch
Monday night gives the Rams a familiar kind of spotlight, one centered on the players most likely to swing the game near the goal line. Kyren Williams remains the clearest touchdown threat in Los Angeles backfield, while Blake Corum adds another name to the mix as the Rams look to build on the offensive production they showed in the opener. With the Giants coming in after a shaky defensive start of their own, this matchup sets up as one where scoring chances could arrive in bunches if Los Angeles keeps finding ways to stay ahead of the sticks.
The other side of the board brings its own intrigue, with Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart carrying the Giants hopes for explosive plays. The Rams defense had its own issues in Week 1, so this is not the kind of setup that allows Los Angeles to relax just because the matchup looks favorable on paper. For the Rams, the early focus is less about style points and more about which of their playmakers can turn one of those red-zone trips into the score that matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Donalds Return Puts Rams Defense Under Immediate Pressure
Aaron Donald is set to make his return for the Rams in Week 2 against the Giants, his first game action since 2023, and the timing could not be much more pointed for a defense looking for help. Los Angeles plans to start him and ease him into a rotation, giving the group a much-needed jolt as it tries to steady itself against a Giants offense led by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
The Rams are leaning on Donald to raise the ceiling of a unit that will be under pressure right away, especially with Myles Garrett on injured reserve. Even in a limited workload, Donald changes how opponents have to approach the middle of the line, and his presence gives the Rams a chance to look a lot more like the defense they expected to have. How much of an impact he can make immediately is still the key question. [Read more 🡒]