Rams at Giants
THE STORY: The St. Louis Rams resembled a M*A*S*H unit before the end of last week's season-opening loss to Philadelphia. That won’t earn much sympathy around the NFL, particularly from the injury-riddled New York Giants, who host the Rams on Monday Night Football in their home opener. Bumps and severe bruises aside, the most pressing concern for both clubs is avoiding an 0-2 start to the season after each suffered double-digit losses a week ago. One intriguing subplot is the return of Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was New York’s defensive coordinator in its stunning run to the Super Bowl following the 2007 season.
TV: ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET. LINE: Giants -6, O/U 43.5
ABOUT THE GIANTS (0-1): New York failed to mount much offense and didn’t score in the second half of last week’s 28-14 loss at Washington. Eli Manning had an interception returned for a TD in the first two minutes of the second half and wound up getting sacked four times. He could be without top wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who is battling a badly bruised knee. Nicks had seven receptions for 122 yards this week. The Giants were without defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck last week, although Tuck could play Monday. They already lost starting cornerback Terrell Thomas and middle linebacker Jonathan Goff for the season.
ABOUT THE RAMS (0-1): Star RB Steven Jackson burst up the middle for a 47-yard TD on his first carry last week. He exited with an injured quad on his next carry and is unlikely to play against the Giants. St. Louis also will be without Danny Amendola, last season’s leading receiver, and cornerback Ron Bartell. At least three other starters could miss the game. QB Sam Bradford is expected to wear a glove to protect the finger he injured in last week’s 31-13 loss to the Eagles. Cadillac Williams excelled in place of Jackson, rushing for 91 yards and catching five passes for 49 yards.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Manning is 2-0 with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in two games against the Rams, who have dropped four in a row to the Giants.
2. Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, needs 300 yards to reach 4,000 for his career. He’ll be hurt by the absence of Amendola, who had 85 catches last season.
3. With Spagnuolo as the defensive coordinator, the Giants amassed a league-high 53 sacks in 2007. The unit was instrumental in slowing down Tom Brady and New England’s high-powered offense in New York’s stunning Super Bowl upset.