Aaron Donald is set to make his long-awaited NFL return on Monday night when the 0-1 Los Angeles Rams take on the 1-0 New York Giants at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams have had a long time to pick the bones out of a woeful Week 1 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne.
Sean McVay’s plan to arrive in Australia as late as possible appeared to backfire as the more acclimatised Niners ran out easy 27-7 winners.
Donald’s return provides a timely boost, especially if he can recapture the form that earned him three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards after two years out of the league.
The Giants, meanwhile, impressed in Week 1 under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while Cam Skattebo added 81 rushing yards in their 28-20 upset of the Dallas Cowboys.
But New York must improve a miserable road record, having won only four of their last 21 games away from MetLife Stadium, if they are to reach 2-0.
Los Angeles Rams v New York Giants Betting Tips
Best Bet – Rams -6.5 @ 20/23
Alternative Bet – Kyren Williams 1st Half anytime TD @ 2/1
Bet Builder – LA Rams first to 30 Points, Matthew Stafford 250+ passing yards & Isaiah Likely Over 4.5 Receptions @ 11/2
Los Angeles Rams v New York Giants Prediction
Best Bet: Rams -6.5 @ 20/23
The Rams began the season as Super Bowl favourites and remain at the head of that outright market, but serious concerns were raised by their lacklustre performance in Melbourne.
The pass rush could not get home, drives stalled due to missed blocks and wayward throws, while poor timing on both sides of the ball left them looking a long way short of being contenders.
But context matters because their unrealistic travel schedule almost certainly left them jet‑lagged and facing a much better-prepared opponent.
With 11 days' recovery time, the Rams’ defence should look entirely different.
New York’s offensive line is missing a couple of key pieces while rookie guard Francis Mauigoa now faces a much sterner test from Donald.
Expect a bounce-back performance from a Los Angeles offence that led the league in points and passing yards last season, scoring 518 points thanks to 46 passing touchdowns.
The Giants impressed in Week 1, but sustaining that efficiency against a rested, angry Rams team at home is unlikely and, given they have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 14 road assignments, they are opposed here.
Alternative Bet: Kyren Williams 1st Half anytime TD @ 2/1
Williams was the lone bright spot in Los Angeles’ opener, bagging their only touchdown and extending his scoring streak to four straight games, including all three playoff contests last season.
He should prosper against a Giants defence that allowed both a rushing and receiving touchdown to Javonte Williams in Week 1 as their front seven struggled to contain Dallas’ interior run game.
Ten of Williams’ 17 regular‑season and postseason touchdowns last year came in the first half, so back the Rams rusher to register before the interval on Monday.
Los Angeles Rams v New York Giants Bet Builder Tip
LA Rams first to 30 points
Matthew Stafford 250+ Passing Yards
Isaiah Likely Over 4.5 Receptions
Pays @ 11/2
The Rams reached the 30-point mark in eight of their final 11 regular-season games in 2025, winning the race to 30 points in five of their final seven, so it was a major shock to see them put only seven points on the board in Melbourne.
They have a great chance of getting back on track against a Giants team that have not reached that total in 13 of their last 18 outings.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford struggled in Week 1, but he has thrown for at least 249 yards in 153 of 253 career games, and his career average sits at 271.2 yards per game.
Include him to pass for 250 yards or more and add Giants TE Isaiah Likely to register at least five receptions.
He followed Harbaugh from Baltimore this offseason after spending a couple of years stuck behind Mark Andrews on the depth chart.
But he exploded in Week 1 with eight receptions, 78 yards and two touchdowns, so he should figure heavily in their game plan again this week.
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Key Match Stats
The Rams scored 518 points last season (1st in NFL)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw 46 passing TDs last season
Rams RB Kyren Williams has scored in four straight games
Jaxson Dart threw 3 TDs in Week 1, two to TE Isaiah Likely
The Giants allowed 2 TDs to Javonte Williams in Week 1
Aaron Donald returns for his first game since 2023
Tactics, Form and Team News
The Rams’ defence changes dramatically with Donald back as his presence in the interior of the line forces protection shifts, opens lanes for secondary rushers, and compresses pockets.
Myles Garrett is out for four weeks after undergoing knee surgery, with second-year DE Josaiah Stewart tipped to start in the veteran’s place opposite Byron Young.
WR Puka Nacua is questionable due to a hip issue.
As for the Giants, their main concerns appear to be in the secondary after Paulson Adebo was placed on injured reserve this week.
Fellow cornerback Deonte Banks was limited in practice and listed as questionable.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
