Rams vs. Giants: TV Info, Over/Under, Spread and Final Game Predictions

Nobody wants to start 0-2.

In recent years it's been a death wish for teams looking to make the postseason. In the past few years, teams that begin the season with two losses have about a 13 percent chance of making the postseason. Last year, there wasn't a single team to pull off the accomplishment.

The Giants welcome the Rams in a extremely important game for both sides. New York was upset on the road by the Washington Redskins, and the Rams were upended at home by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

This game marks the return to the Meadowlands for Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was the defensive coordinator for the Giants when they went on their improbable Super Bowl run in 2007-08.

Both teams are dealing with multiple injuries that will have a direct impact on the outcome. Here is everything you need to know heading into this Monday night affair:

Where: Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

When: September 19th, 8:30 p.m. EST 

Watch: ESPN; Sirius 88

Over/Under: 44, according to Bodog.com.

Advice: Look no further than these trends to help influence your decision:

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The over is 4-1 in the Rams' last five games as underdogs and 15-7 in the Giants' last 22 games overall.

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Go with the under in a game that will feature two teams that are attempting to establish the running game early and often.

Spread: Giants -7, according to Bodog.com.

Advice: Take the Rams and the points.

Both teams match up evenly at most positions on the field, and it's hard to imagine the Rams getting blown out. I'm not saying the Rams will win, but they will cover. (Remember this line had started at -4.5 before the public shifted the line substantially).

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The Rams are 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven games against teams with losing records and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games coming off ATS loss.

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Take the Rams.

Key Injuries:

• DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) OUT
• TE Travis Beckum (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
• WR Hakeem Nicks (knee) PROBABLE
• DE Justin Tuck (neck) QUESTIONABLE
• WR Danny Amendola (elbow) DOUBTFUL
• RB Steven Jackson (quad) QUESTIONABLE
• DE C.J. AhYou (wrist) OUT
• QB Sam Bradford (arm) PROBABLE

Fantasy Big Plays:

QB Eli Manning is the hardest fantasy player to predict because he never puts up big numbers with any sort of consistency. The odds of him throwing for 150 yards and two interceptions are just as good as him throwing for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

WR Hakeem Nicks will be active and expect him to get involved in the offense early and often. I'd also consider playing No. 2 receiver Mario Manningham, a speedy receiver that got plenty of targets in Week 1.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw will have a bounce-back game after a disappointing Week 1.

Keys To Rams Win:

Assuming Sam Bradford is capable of making all the throws necessary, he has to get Mike Sims-Walker more involved in the offense. One catch for five yards isn't going to cut it.

The Rams should spread the field with Sims-Walker and allow Jackson to take advantage of the weak-second level of the Giants defense.

Keeping Bradford protected is also going to be a very important key.

Defensively they simply need to keep Manning and Co. to field goals. They are instituting a "bend-but-don't-break" mentality that can be effective, as long as the Giants stay out of the end zone.

Keys To Giants Win:

After rushing for less than 80 yards in Week 1, they have to get back to pounding the ball with Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Gashing the Rams inexperienced line and controlling the time of possession is extremely important.

As long as they keep the chains moving and Manning doesn't turn the ball over, the Giants will be just fine.

Prediction:

The Giants have the home crowd on their side and all of the experience.

I expect Eli Manning to take advantage of a weak Rams secondary, which will in turn open up running lanes for Ahmad Bradshaw.

Yet Bradford will make enough plays in the air to keep this from being a blowout:

Giants 24 Rams 17