Stephen A. Smith Calls Rams a Super Bowl Contender After 28-6 Win Over Giants
The short version
- Rams beat the Giants 28-6 at SoFi Stadium after losing Week 1 to the 49ers in Australia
- Matthew Stafford threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns
- Davante Adams had 195 receiving yards with Puka Nacua sidelined
- Stephen A. Smith said Aaron Donald's return boosted the defense
- Kyren Williams and Blake Corum contributed in the running game
The ESPN analyst said Los Angeles' dominant win over New York showed the season-opening loss in Australia was no true measure of the team.
The Los Angeles Rams answered their Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, with a 28-6 home win over the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said on his show that the performance showed the defeat in Australia did not reflect what the Rams plan to be this season.
Smith cited reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford, who threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns, as a central reason the Rams remain a serious Super Bowl contender. He also pointed to the wide receiver pairing of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, noting that Adams delivered a standout performance with 195 receiving yards even with Nacua sidelined.
The analyst added that running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum contributed effectively on the ground, and that the return of Aaron Donald lifted a defense opponents must account for. Smith said the defense takes on a different character when Donald is on the field.
Smith admitted he had leaned toward the Giants before kickoff, expecting quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo to make plays with Garrett absent and Nacua out. Instead, he said, the Rams reached the end zone while the Giants dealt with a growing list of injuries during the game.
