Rams vs. Giants could reveal truth behind Australia failure

The mystery of the Los Angeles Rams is about to be revealed.

Was the Rams' wacky travel plan largely responsible for their poor play in a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia?

Or are the Rams as flawed as they looked in their season opener?

The answer figures to emerge when the Rams (0-1) play the New York Giants (1-0) on Monday Night Football Sept. 21 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Los Angeles remains the Super Bowl favorite, and maybe the oddsmakers have taken a cue from Sean McVay, head coach and travel strategist for the Rams.

Of the game in Australia, McVay said, “It's almost like you try to do the 'Men in Black' thing where you say, 'Hey, I don't remember what happened. That was so long ago.'"

But that game deserves analysis in trying to determine if the Rams can bounce back. Here are some things to consider as Los Angeles looks to provide answers to whether it is flawed or was just sleepy vs. the Niners in Week 1.

Good riddance, Australia

McVay never said koalas are evil, or that Crocodile Dundee cannot be trusted or that he'll never eat a shrimp off the barbie. But this week McVay said, “We're not playing in Australia ever again, I hope.’’

Or McVay better hope the Rams arrive in Australia next time far more than 24 hours before kickoff. That and any bad Down Under mojo would be the most palatable explanation for how they played against the 49ers.

49ers are no joke

The Rams did not lose to some Pop Warner team in Australia. In fact, the San Francisco 49ers have emerged as one of the best teams in the league. On Sunday, they scored on their first five possessions and beat the Miami Dolphins 35-13.

In John Harbaugh’s debut as the Giants’ head coach, they beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 at home. The victory looks even more impressive after the Cowboys on Sunday beat the Washington Commanders 37-20.

But the talent gap between the 49ers and Giants is substantial.

Paging Matthew Stafford

Vintage Matthew Stafford was AWOL in Australia, and he looked like he should have been napping when he was calling plays.

Or at 38, is Stafford confronting the reality of his age? He turned in a stinker against the 49ers, completing 15-of-25 passes with an interception and failing to throw for a touchdown for the first time in 18 games.

In Stafford's defense, the Rams’ offensive line failed to provide solid protection. He wasn't sacked, but the 49ers registered eight quarterback hits.

Aaron Donald to rescue?

The good news is Los Angeles got an explanation for the shockingly poor debut of Myles Garrett, who was suffering from a knee injury. The bad news is he had arthroscopic surgery and will be out at least until Game 6.

It’s hard to replace a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, but the Rams have one of the best available options – Aaron Donald. Donald, who came out of retirement after two seasons away, is expected on Monday night to make his first start since January 2024. It’d be understandable for him to show some rust. But he’s a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 111 career sacks and hardly a geriatric at 35.

Ah, a real football stadium

The Rams will be playing at SoFi Stadium, one of the sleekest stadiums in the NFL. L.A. certainly enjoys home cooking and is 32-19 in the regular season and 3-0 in the postseason at the venue.

So could you really expect them to be at their best at Melbourne Cricket Ground?

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