The Giants-Rams Card Starts With Isaiah Likely's 44.5-yard receiving line

The Giants kept Dallas chasing long drives in Week 1. Their running game and Isaiah Likely's work inside give them a way to test a Rams defense that struggled to get off the field against San Francisco.

What The Current Numbers Actually Say

The Giants visit the Rams on Monday, September 21 at 8:15 PM ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. New York opened with a 28-20 win over Dallas; Los Angeles lost 27-7 to San Francisco.

The biggest difference was keeping drives alive. The Giants converted nine of 11 third downs against the Cowboys (81.8%), while the Rams managed 22.2% against the 49ers. Los Angeles allowed no sacks but still struggled to sustain possessions, so protecting Matthew Stafford alone will not fix the offense.

Dart averaged 7.9 yards per pass attempt against Dallas. The Rams held San Francisco to 6.0 per attempt but conceded 5.8 yards per rush, giving New York a reason to keep Cam Skattebo and Dart involved on the ground. Los Angeles also averaged 6.0 per attempt in the opener; the Giants limited Dallas to 5.1.

Two Rams availability concerns matter here. Puka Nacua was listed as questionable with a hip injury on September 19, and Sean McVay said soreness had kept him from reaching full speed. If he is limited or absent, Stafford loses an important receiving option and Los Angeles may lean more on its multiple-tight-end formations. Myles Garrett is on injured reserve and will miss the game, taking a major pass-rush threat out of Dart's path; Aaron Donald plans to return Monday.

What's The Big Question?

Can New York use its running game and motion to pull Rams defenders away from Isaiah Likely?

The Giants averaged 4.5 yards per carry against the Cowboys, while the Rams gave up 5.8 against the 49ers. Productive carries by Skattebo and Dart could bring a Los Angeles safety toward the line, leaving room behind the linebackers for Likely.

New York also sent fullback Patrick Ricard in motion on 19 of his 36 snaps against Dallas. Moving that extra blocker can make the Rams shift their run fits before the snap; a play-action throw to Likely then asks the linebackers to recover toward the middle. If Los Angeles keeps its safeties deep, the Giants can stay with the run instead of forcing a covered downfield pass.

How To Bet The Next Game

Giants +6.5 (-105) is a bet on New York sustaining drives and limiting the possessions Stafford gets to build a lead. Both Giants touchdown drives in the second half against Dallas lasted more than eight minutes. Skattebo and Dart can attack the Rams on the ground, with Likely providing an inside answer when linebackers step toward the run. Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields stretch the coverage outside, making it harder for Los Angeles to crowd that middle window. Donald could change that picture quickly if he disrupts the run and forces Dart into long-yardage throws; interior pressure is the main threat to this possession-based cover case.

The total is a pass at 47. The offense/defense scoring comparison comes to 41.0 points, too little evidence to treat a small difference from the line as a betting edge. The weaker defensive baseline also makes an under difficult to defend: a few successful downfield throws or short fields could turn the game into a scoring exchange.

The Prop Bets That Belong On The Card

Isaiah Likely over 44.5 receiving yards (-117) fits the same run-and-play-action approach. He caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. Ricard moving across the formation and Skattebo threatening the handoff can draw the linebackers forward while Likely releases behind them. With Nabers occupying an outside corner and drawing deep attention, Dart can look inside for an intermediate completion rather than settle for a short outlet. The Rams need to pass Likely between linebackers and safeties without losing him during those shifts; tight inside coverage that forces Dart outside would work against the over.

Kyren Williams anytime touchdown (-180) leans on the Rams creating scoring chances through their interior blocking. Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton and Kevin Dotson each earned a PFF run-blocking grade above 80 in Week 1, according to the Rams. That gives Los Angeles a reason to run inside behind those three, with Davante Adams demanding attention outside near the goal line. Williams scored on the ground against San Francisco and finished with 41 rushing yards on 11 carries. The Giants held Dallas to 3.8 yards per rush, so this is a short-yardage finishing case rather than a bet on an easy rushing matchup. Blake Corum remains a threat to the opportunity: he gained 54 yards in the opener, and Williams does not own every backfield touch.

Research Behind The Angle

2026 regular season to date: Rams went 0-1, scoring 7.0 points per game and allowing 27.0; Giants went 1-0, scoring 28.0 and allowing 20.0.

Live betJACK spread: Giants +6.5 (-105).

Live betJACK total line: 47 (no recommendation).

Live betJACK yardage prop: Isaiah Likely over 44.5 receiving yards (-117).

Live betJACK touchdown prop: Kyren Williams anytime touchdown (-180).

New York injury updates: ESPN lists Deonte Banks (Calf) as questionable (Sep 19); Paulson Adebo (Knee) as injured reserve (Sep 19); Micah McFadden (Neck) as questionable (Sep 17).

Los Angeles injury updates: ESPN lists Puka Nacua (Hip) as questionable (Sep 20); Kamren Kinchens (Hamstring) as out (Sep 19); Jordan Whittington (Quadriceps) as doubtful (Sep 19).

Rams September 19 preview: Ricard motion on 19 of 36 snaps; Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. Giants converted nine of 11 third downs. Myles Garrett is on injured reserve; Aaron Donald plans to return Monday.

Rams September 19 keys: both Giants second-half touchdown drives against Dallas exceeded eight minutes. Los Angeles reached the San Francisco 1-yard line but failed on fourth down.

Rams September 19 offensive-line report: PFF run-blocking grades exceeded 80 for Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton and Kevin Dotson.

Giants Week 2 player notes: Williams had 41 rushing yards, 24 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in Week 1; Corum led the Rams with 54 rushing yards. Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches in 2025.

Rams final injury report, September 19: Nacua questionable (hip; McVay described groin soreness affecting full speed), Kinchens out (hamstring), Whittington doubtful (quadriceps); Giants Banks and McFadden questionable. Garrett is on injured reserve and unavailable, per the Rams Week 2 preview; he does not appear on the active-roster game-status report. Donald plans to return Monday.

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