The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just lose their season opener, they got absolutely gashed on the ground, nearly giving up 200 yards to the 49ers in a brutal 20-point loss. That shaky start against the run is a huge problem, especially with the New York Giants coming to town. New York’s ground attack looks like one of the toughest tests the Rams’ iffy run defense will face all season, and if things don’t tighten up fast, they could be run out of their own stadium.
Rams Run Defense Woes Reared Their Ugly Head
In Week 1, the Rams coughed up 174 rushing yards, which was the fourth-most in the entire NFL. Only the Panthers (291), Broncos (220), and Colts (202) gave up more. Think about that for a second! Even though they avoided giving up a single 100-yard rusher, both Christian McCaffrey and Kaelon Black still carved them up for at least 65 yards each. It’s a rough start, and it makes you wonder if those “strides against the run” they supposedly made in 2025 were just a mirage. Their run defense woes definitely reappeared in a big way during Week 1.
Giants Run Game: A Physical Nightmare
Now, here’s where it gets really scary for LA: the Giants’ running game is no joke. New York rushed for 165 yards against a supposedly improved Dallas defensive front, putting them fifth-most in the league in Week 1. Second-year back Cam Skattebo led that charge with 81 yards on 18 carries. But it’s not just Skattebo; this backfield is absolutely loaded. Veteran Devin Singletary is closing in on 5,000 career rushing yards, and third-year back Tyrone Tracy Jr. is coming off two straight 740+ yard campaigns. That trio combined for 1,587 yards last season, powering the Giants to finish fifth in rushing a year ago. Seriously, this unit currently boasts the lowest rate of runs stuffed in the NFL. They just violently barrel down people like they’re owed lunch money. Bobby Skinner from the Giants even tweeted that this run game is “sustainable and has a higher ceiling than what we saw on SNF.” That ’25 season was no fluke, and they might even get better as the season goes on.
A powerful run game is like the signature move of a John Harbaugh offense, and the G-Men are clearly channeling that vibe. From 2008 to 2025, Harbaugh’s Ravens averaged an NFL-leading 139.8 rushing yards per game. That’s 10 yards more than the next best team! And Baltimore led the league in rushing yards five times in their last seven seasons. So, yeah, the Giants are going to be running the ball plenty on Monday night. The real question is, can the Rams possibly stop it when they know exactly what’s coming? If they can’t, this early season looks even rougher for LA.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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