Rams-Giants: 2 teams headed in opposite directions.
The Giants and Rams face off Sunday following their bye week.
While the Giants desperately needed some time off to figure out why they have been the NFL’s biggest disappointment, the Rams probably could have skipped the hiatus after becoming the league’s most pleasant surprise.
Not helping New York one bit is turmoil in the secondary and locker room. For the second time in a month, coach Ben McAdoo suspended a cornerback for breaking team rules. First it was Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who missed one game. Now, it’s Janoris Jenkins.
Considering the Giants are 1-6 and the Rams (5-2) have shown plenty of firepower on offense, that’s a bad omen for New York.
Asked if McAdoo, who last season led the team to its first playoff berth since winning the NFL title in the 2011 season, had lost control, standout safety Landon Collins said:
“We continue growing with him and trying to be a great team and stay together because our back is against the wall right now,” Collins said. “We can’t fight against each other. If we fight against each other, things are definitely going to go bad.”
Things have definitely gone well for L.A., which is tied for the NFC West lead with Seattle, is 3-0 on the road and is averaging more than 30 points a game. Second-year quarterback Jared Goff has taken nicely to new coach Sean McVay’s schemes, Todd Gurley is having a strong rebound season, and placekicker Greg Zuerlein leads the NFL with 84 points, including 21 of 22 on field goals.
The vibes are all positive. Still, McVay is being cautious.
“I think the one thing that you appreciate about this league is that every single team on any given week can win,” he said, “and if you’re not ready to go, you get exposed and you get humbled very quickly.
“This league is so competitive that every single week, if you don’t bring it, like we said, you get exposed, especially against a very good team like this.”
The action began Thursday night with the New York Jets’ 34-21 home victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Matt Forte ran for two touchdowns four days after complaining the Jets (4-5) didn’t run the ball enough, and an overwhelming defense sacked Tyrod Taylor seven times. The Bills dropped to 5-3.
Off this week are New England, Cleveland, Chicago, the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.
Kansas City (6-2) at Dallas (4-3)
The big story line here figured to be how the Cowboys fared without the suspended Ezekiel Elliott, but a federal appeals court in New York blocked his suspension for this weekend. The running back will go back on the legal path next week, but he’s set to face KC.
The Chiefs can set a franchise record with a 10th straight road win going back to Oct. 16, 2016, at Oakland. They have plenty of weapons on offense, and LB Justin Houston is beginning to resemble the dynamic game changer he was before injuries slowed him.
Dallas also has a sackmaster in end DeMarcus Lawrence , the NFL leader with 10 1/2 sacks.
He can join Minnesota’s Everson Griffen with at least one sack in each of the first eight games this season.
Tampa Bay (2-5) at New Orleans (5-2)
Teams headed in opposite directions.
New Orleans has won five straight and is showing a staunch defense that was totally unexpected.