The Los Angeles Rams bounced back from their Week 1 loss in emphatic fashion, defeating the New York, Rams Defeat Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football at So-Fi Stadium on September 21, 2026. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, while Davante Adams delivered a spectacular performance with 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Rams improved to 1-1, while the Giants also moved to 1-1 after their Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. However, New York’s night quickly changed when starting quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury during the opening drive.
Stafford and Adams Connect for a Big Rams Performance
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. The performance was a significant response after the Rams scored only seven points in their Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
The biggest beneficiary was Davante Adams.
The veteran wide receiver caught eight passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came on a 31-yard reception late in the opening quarter, while his second touchdown was an 11-yard catch in the third quarter.
Adams’ production gave Stafford a reliable target throughout the game and helped the Rams finish with 481 total yards.
The Stafford-Adams connection was particularly important because Puka Nacua was inactive with a hip injury. Jordan Whittington was also among the Rams’ inactive players.
The Rams defeat Giants 28-6 result was largely shaped by Matthew Stafford’s passing and Davante Adams’ big-play ability.
Giants Lose Jaxson Dart Early
The Giants’ biggest setback came on their opening offensive series.
Dart suffered a left knee injury with 11:20 remaining in the first quarter after taking contact while attempting a pass. He initially walked off the field and was evaluated before leaving the game.
Jameis Winston replaced Dart and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and one interception.
The Giants also dealt with an injury to Malik Nabers. The wide receiver injured his right shoulder during the first quarter but later returned to the game. He finished with only one reception for one yard.
New York ultimately managed only 182 total yards, compared with 481 for Los Angeles.
Rams Make an Impact Without Puka Nacua
The Rams entered the game without several important players, including Nacua and Whittington. That put additional pressure on the rest of the offense to produce.
Adams responded with one of the biggest individual performances of the early 2026 season, while Stafford repeatedly found ways to move the ball downfield.
Los Angeles also welcomed the return of defensive star Aaron Donald. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year made his first NFL appearance since the 2023 season after ending his retirement and rejoining the Rams.
Donald finished with three tackles, including one tackle for loss.
How the Rams Took Control
Los Angeles opened the scoring with Stafford’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Adams with 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Rams extended their lead in the second quarter when Stafford connected with Kyren Williams for a 10-yard touchdown.
New York answered with a 24-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada, but the Giants went into halftime trailing 14-3.
The Rams continued their control after halftime.
Stafford found Adams for another touchdown in the third quarter, giving Los Angeles a 21-3 advantage. The Giants added a 52-yard field goal, but they struggled to generate sustained offensive drives.
Stafford completed the scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson in the fourth quarter, making it 28-6.
What the Rams’ Victory Means
The win gives the Rams a much-needed response after their 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 1. More importantly, the offense showed that it can remain productive even when one of its primary weapons, Puka Nacua, is unavailable.
For the Giants, the focus now shifts toward Dart’s injury and the team’s quarterback situation. The extent of Dart’s knee injury was not immediately known after the game.
The Rams will next travel to Denver to face the Broncos on September 27. The Giants will look to regroup after a difficult night in Los Angeles.
The Rams defeat Giants 28-6 result ultimately showcased Stafford’s connection with Adams and the Rams’ ability to control the game on both sides of the ball. For New York, losing Dart early made an already difficult road matchup considerably harder.
The Rams defeat Giants 28-6 victory gives Los Angeles an important early-season win after its Week 1 defeat.