Giants vs. Rams prediction: Big Blue can carry momentum into Monday Night Football clash

“Monday Night Football” is an East-vs.-West battle this week.In what looks like one of the weekend’s more intriguing matchups, the 1-0 Giants will face the Rams, who are reeling from a Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Australia. The line has been hovering between 7.5 and 6.5 throughout the week, as Los Angeles remains the Super Bowl favorite and Big Blue is still an underdog to even make the postseason.The Rams have a significant rest advantage, having played the season opener on Sept.10 and getting 11 days’ rest between games.Still, the Rams have concerns here.John Harbaugh has built his team as ball-control-centric, where they will run the ball down your throat and keep opposing offenses off the field.Now, the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows here. Demolishing the Cowboys is not the same as beating the Rams. Dallas had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year, and despite adding talent like Rashawn Gary, it didn’t appear they improved in any way. Sean McVay’s squad starting 0-2 would be really surprising, but crazier things can happen in this league.After one week, the Rams are rated No.

29 in DVOA while the Giants sit just outside the top 10 at No.11. If the Giants can get their running game moving, you’re looking at another game of long drives and Matthew Stafford watching from the sidelines.And considering Myles Garrett is on injured reserve, and no one knows Aaron Donald’s status. Last season, the Rams allowed 4.2 yards per carry, about middle of the pack, though that unit included Jared Verse, who is now in Cleveland.With their defensive line depleted, I think the Giants will keep this game within a touchdown. My model favors the Rams by 10 points, but that accounts for pieces from last year, and I think both teams are in different places than they were last year.In fact, I don’t think it’s a leap to say this Giants team is 2.5 points better than last year’s. I’m also seeing some value on the over, but I have pause th...