The Los Angeles Rams zipped into 2026 with enough star power to inspire Super Bowl expectations.
A prominent former NFL player went even further.
Three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said before the season that he believed Los Angeles could go undefeated.
Nonetheless, one week was enough to change his mind.
“I’m jumping ship. I’m on Harbaugh. I’m on Dart. I’m on Skattebo,” Lewan said Thursday on ESPN’s “Get Up”, picking the New York Giants to beat the Rams in Week 2.
It’s a sharp reversal after Los Angeles’ 27-7 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. The Rams return to SoFi Stadium for a Monday night matchup against a Giants team with a different kind of momentum.
Lewan Goes From Rams to Giants After Week 1
Lewan’s change of heart came with some self-deprecating humor. He acknowledged his preseason call that the Rams would run the table before explaining why he’s buying into the Giants after one game.
New York opened the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. And the pieces Lewan highlighted were central to it.
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 54 rushing yards. Giants.com noted that his 79.3% completion rate marked a career high.
Cam Skattebo supplied 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries as New York piled up 165 yards on the ground.
Harbaugh praised Dart’s accuracy and timing after the victory. But he also tried to keep the Week 1 result in perspective.
“How we played this last night will not win the game next Monday night,” Harbaugh said, pointing to the improvement he expects before the trip to Los Angeles.
Lewan, nonetheless, saw enough to move his support from one side of Monday night’s matchup to the other.
Rams Have Chance to Flip the Script
The Rams’ opener didn’t surface much to build on.
Matthew Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards and an interception against San Francisco. Los Angeles trailed 10-7 at halftime before the 49ers pulled away with 17 second-half points. The Rams also came away empty on a fourth-and-goal quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line in the third quarter, one of several missed opportunities in the loss.
Sean McVay said afterward that the Rams didn’t communicate well enough on either side of the ball. Their official game recap also showed the 49ers holding the ball for 33 minutes, 50 seconds. Los Angeles had possession for 26:10.
There were parts the Rams can carry forward. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 95 rushing yards on 21 carries, and Puka Nacua caught five passes for 74 yards.
So, Week 2 necessitates a response from a team that has lofty championship aspirations.
The Giants, meanwhile, showed in Week 1 that they are comfortable controlling the ball and leaning on a physical run game.
Slowing Skattebo and forcing Dart into less comfortable down-and-distance situations could become a defining part of the matchup.
All things considered, Lewan has abandoned his perfect-season prediction. On Monday night, the Rams get their first chance to make that switch look premature.
3-Time Pro Bowler ‘Jumping Ship’ on Los Angeles Rams, Picks Giants in Week 2