What’s up Ramily? Hope everyone is feeling well rested from the bye week! Welcome to this week’s edition of Talking Touchdowns. The Rams are about to take on the New York Giants and I’ve got a few things to keep your eye on.

Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants

• The Rams are 5-2 for the first time since 2003 after they dominated the Cards in a 33-0 game where Jared Goff played okay going 22 of 37 for 235 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The star again on offense was Todd Gurley. He carried the offense with 106 rushing yards and one touchdown with another four catches and 48 receiving yards. Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp were all extremely successful down the field helping to secure the 33 point victory for the Rams.

• A shut out. The Rams defense held the Cards to ZERO points. They definitely got a little help when Cards starting quarterback Carson Palmer had to head to the locker room but I explained that the defense’s main job was going to be to contain Adrian Peterson and they did just that. They were able to contain AP as he only had 21 rushing yards on 11 tries. The Rams updated backfield, featuring Lamarcus Joyner and John Johnson III, seems to be the perfect adjustment for the Rams defense.

• Now, the Rams are heading across the country to take on Eli Manning and the Giants. The Giants are currently 3-3 and are suffering from team injuries that are starting to take a toll. Against the Seahawks, the Giants were only able to get even points on the board and Eli didn’t have three out of his top four receivers.

• So far, the Giants have had a very disappointing season, starting just 1-6 after going 11-5 in 2016. It doesn’t help when you have injuries to numerous star players, but you would think an Eli Manning led team would be able to get the season back on track. Heading into the year, the Giants had high hopes on both offense and defense, but with key injuries to their top wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall, the offense has sputtered and has had a difficult time finding any real replacements.

• They do have WR Sterling Shepard returning from a sprained ankle and have seen the emergence of rookie tight end Evan Engram as their leading receiver since Beckham and Marshall went down, so it’s going to be key for the Rams defensive backs and linebackers to be good in coverage. Although they haven’t performed as expected so far this year, you have to respect Eli Manning as a passer. After all, he is a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. The Giants real weakness has been their offensive line this year, so this is a game Aaron Donald and our defensive front should dominate. The Giants Rank 23rd against the run and 27th against the pass, so it will be important for the Rams to control the clock and establish Gurley early and often as they’ve done so well this season.

Game Prediction

I am giving the Rams the WIN because I have no doubt they can lock this one. With a struggling Giants team and no Odell Beckham Jr., the Rams should be able to walk away 6-2.

Photo Credits:

• New York Giants  on Wikimedia Commons by New York Giants
• Los Angeles Rams on Wikimedia Commons by SportsLogos.net
• Arizona Cardinals on Wikimedia Commons by Moe Epsilon
• Jared Goff on wikimedia commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Todd Gurley on flickr by Christina VanMeter
• Carson Palmer on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Bealle
• LaMarcus Joyner on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Eli Manning on flickr by Mike Morbeck
• Odell Beckham Jr on flickr by Brook Ward
• Aaron Donald on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison