Giants-Rams: What to watch for in Monday's Week 2 matchup

Skattebo fired up to play in front of family, face Donald

Monday night’s game against the Rams isn’t exactly a homecoming for Giants running back Cam Skattebo. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is about a seven-hour drive from where he grew up in Rio Linda, just outside Sacramento.

Nevertheless, Skattebo will have a good crowd in attendance for his first NFL game in his home state.

“I’ve got a lot of family going, family, friends, people I went to high school with, cousins, grandma, grandpa,” Skattebo said. “That’s an easy drive for my family. They did a 12-hour drive to Arizona all the time, so that won’t be too bad.”

He’s looking forward to facing Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. After retiring following the 2023 season, Donald re-signed with the team last month and told reporters his plan is to make his debut Monday.

Donald is a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year with 111 career sacks. Skattebo isn't intimidated.

“He’s had a couple years off and I’m sure he’s ready to go and excited to play,” he said. “But he’s still got to play football. He hasn’t practiced a ton. He hasn’t played in a game yet or played a ton. So if it's his first game, then he’s got to be ready for it just like we do.''

Left guard Jon Runyan Jr. faced Donald twice in the regular season with the Packers and once in the playoffs. Even though the Packers won both regular-season meetings, Runyan knows how difficult it is to deal with Donald’s combination of speed, athleticism and strength.

“Every time we played against him, we made sure to get four hands on him as many times as possible,” Runyan said of the Packers' double-team plan. That’s what you got to do when you play those type of players.”

Skattebo is excited to face Donald, whom he called one of the best to ever do it. But if Donald is waiting for him on one of his runs, Skattebo won’t hesitate to go right at him.

“If I have to meet him in the hole on third-and-1, then so be it," he said. "I’ve got to get one yard."

Nabers felt rusty in Game 1

Malik Nabers was glad to make his season debut against the Cowboys in his comeback from ACL/meniscus surgery, but he didn’t fully feel like himself.

“I’m rusty,” he said. “Slipping, falling, pretty much it.”

After a 16-yard catch in the third quarter, Nabers pounded the turf in frustration. He caught the ball in the open field but couldn’t get around a defender for extra yards.

Although he finished with six catches for 69 yards, plays like that had Nabers feeling as if he left some yards on the field. Wide receivers coach Chad Hall, however, was far less critical.

“He’s out there getting open, making plays, looking strong, breaking tackles,” Hall said. “It’s great. I think it’s only going to get better and better.”

In his first two seasons, Nabers had big performances in Week 2 games on the road.

Last season, he had 167 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. As a rookie, Nabers broke out with 127 yards and his first touchdown on 10 catches in his second game.  

The rust won’t last long, and Nabers expects to find his form soon enough.

“Whatever ball is being thrown, I feel like I can make those plays,” he said. “I never had to go up and make a crazy catch last week and do anything like spectacular. So I'll see; when the ball is being thrown, I’ve got to make those catches.”

Secondary issues a primary concern

The Giants could be shorthanded at cornerback on Monday. Paulson Adebo (knee) was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least the next four games.

Adebo, who carries a team-high $24.2 million cap hit, lost his starting job this season after signing a three-year contract in 2025. John Harbaugh said the knee injury for Adebo is a short-term one

Starting cornerback Deonte Banks was listed as questionable after not practicing Saturday because of a calf injury. If he doesn’t play, the Giants will turn to rookie cornerback Colton Hood to start opposite Greg Newsome II.

To add depth, the Giants signed cornerback Nikko Reed from the Chargers' practice squad and cornerback Jaden Robinson from the Broncos’ practice squad.

West Coast travel plans

For West Coast road games, Harbaugh had the Ravens fly out a day early. The Giants are following that same plan.

They left Saturday to prepare for the Rams instead of Sunday. Harbaugh said he hopes it will better acclimate them to play Monday night.

“We go out late so the guys are up a little later on the travel night two days before,” Harbaugh said. “So we try to get them ready to be at their peak at night.”

The Giants likely will employ that strategy again ahead of their game in Seattle on Dec. 13.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.