Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up before a game agaimst the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium.
William Liang-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Rams entered SoFi Stadium welcoming back Aaron Donald. But star wide receiver Puka Nacua got ruled out, putting LA at an immediate dilemma. Now LA must avoid going 0-2, which Peyton Manning addressed before the Rams versus New York Giants showdown.
The Super Bowl winner dove right into how LA can avoid the shocking slow start ahead of the “Manningcast” with Eli Manning.
“It all starts with the offensive line,” Manning said. “The Rams need to block better than they did [against San Francisco]. But the receivers have to do a better job of getting open.”
So Monday's outcome doesn't fall entirely on how Donald plays. But Manning also believes quarterback and reigning Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford must go through his reads better compared to the 49ers loss.
Manning knows Stafford can get into a strong sense of comfort once he makes his reads. The 49ers took that element away down in Melbourne, Australia for the 27-7 romp to start the season, bottling Stafford to 155 yards only.
Stafford and the Rams needed to await their turn on offense as New York took the ball first. But that meant LA rolled out Donald right away for the first time in two years.
Head coach Sean McVay chose to pound the football right away on the Rams' first play. Including rolling out their famed multiple tight end set to start the game. Los Angeles, however, went three-and-out on the opening drive. So the Rams protected well, but Stafford hasn't hit his rhythm right away as Manning was envisioning.