Monday Night Football Week 2: 5 Bold Predictions for Rams vs. Giants

The New York Giants host the St. Louis Rams to conclude a roller coaster Week 2 of the NFL season.

St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo returns to take on his former team, which he helped lead to a dramatic Super Bowl championship over the then-undefeated New England Patriots in 2008.

It will be an emotional matchup for both parties, but it will surely be an exhilarating matchup. Both teams enter the game hobbled on both sides of the ball.

The Rams’ already weak secondary will be without its best cornerback, Ron Bartell; even worse, workhorse veteran running back Steven Jackson is uncertain to play after suffering a quad strain Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Their best WR from last season, Danny Amendola, will miss the game due to an elbow injury. Luckily, second-year superstar QB Sam Bradford isn’t bothered by a thumb injury.

New York has been decimated by injuries for weeks. Both DE Justin Tuck (neck) and WR Hakeem Nicks (knee) are questionable heading into the duel.

Considering the amount of injuries, this game has the potential to be off the charts as they look to make noise on Monday night and avoid 0-2 starts. This is an extremely important game for both teams who could be staring up at their division rivals all season if they lose tonight.

Here’s five bold predictions for tonight’s matchup.

Hakeem Nicks Records 100 Yards and a Score

The Giants are expected to have the services of two of their most important players, Hakeem Nicks and Justin Tuck.

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“Giants coach Tom Coughlin tells me he ‘feels good’ about WR Hakeem Nicks and DE Justin Tuck being able to play tonight against St. Louis,” according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer.

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Nicks will have the opportunity to work against a weak secondary. Even if he’s not at full speed, he will still be Eli Manning’s primary receiver. Nicks’ size and strength is simply too much for anybody in St. Louis’ secondary to compete with.

Nicks is the best option for the Giants in the red zone, and will still be able to outmuscle anybody for a score.

Brandon Jacobs Runs Somebody Over, Gains 100 Yards

This may not seem like a bold prediction to outsiders, but as a Giants fan, you need to trust me on this one.

Jacobs, despite his massive size and strength, continues to dance behind the line of scrimmage and doesn’t run people over like he used to.

Back on Monday night, Jacobs will wear down the Rams’ offense and rumble for a big game. He’s going to bulldoze at least one Rams defender on his way to 100 yards on the ground.

Ahmad Bradshaw may be the starter and far superior runner, but tonight will be Jacobs’ night.

Steven Jackson Starts and Finishes Contest

Steven Jackson is still one of the top all-around backs in the NFL. I remain adamant that if he played the entire game against the Eagles, the Rams would have been in position to upset the “Dream Team.”

He is a game-time decision and doesn’t know if he’s going to play.

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“Not sure if I'm playing tonight. I'm heading to stadium now to see if the quad will allow me to go,” Jackson tweeted.

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S-Jax remains St. Louis’ best chance to win this contest to avoid going 0-2 to start the season. Spagnuolo knows this is an important matchup and would love to defeat his former team in their house.

St. Louis needs Jackson to step on the field to take the pressure off Sam Bradford and the passing attack.

Jackson is a warrior and will pull through to play in prime time with his teammates. This is his time to shine in front of the world and we all know running backs don't stand in line.

Lance Kendricks Scores Two Touchdowns

Tight end Lance Kendricks was Bradford’s favorite target in the preseason, as he scored two touchdowns. The athletic monster will be leaned on heavily with Danny Amendola sidelined.

Bradford loves to throw to his tight ends and knows Kendricks is a matchup nightmare for defenses. New York has great safeties in Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips, but Kendricks will abuse New York's weaker linebackers.

Kendricks was crippled in Week 1 by rookie jitters; he dropped passes, including a would-be touchdown. He’s under the bright Monday night lights against New York and will redeem himself with two clutch scores.

Sam Bradford and Eli Manning Both Throw 300-Plus Yards and Three Touchdowns

Not the boldest of predictions since 300-yard games seem to be coming at a dime-a-dozen this year. Still, these two QBs square off against injury-ridden, subpar secondary units. The ball is going to be soaring through the air early and often in this contest.

Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is an offensive guru and knows his scheme failed last week. He’s generally a cocky coach, so expect Bradford to throw the rock at least 40 times tonight.

Manning is determined to prove he is an elite QB, and there isn’t a bigger stage right now than Monday night at home.

They have a lot to live up to on Monday night after Chad Henne threw for 300-plus yards and Tom Brady threw for 500-plus yards last week. Luckily for the fans, these two will redeem terrible Week 1 performances by dissecting the opposition tonight.