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The New York Giants head to Twickenham, England this week for a Sunday morning meeting (9:30 a.m. ET/NFL Network) with the Los Angeles Rams. With the Giants listed as a slight favorite in the matchup of two 3-3 teams, let’s take a first look at how this one breaks down.
The Rams started the season a surprising 3-1, but have followed a three-game winning streak with successive losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.
Offensively, journeyman Case Keenum is keeping the Rams’ quarterback seat warm for No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. Keenum has completed 62.5 perent of his passes this season with seven TDs, six interceptions and a passer rating of 85.3.
Despite the presence of Todd Gurley, who averaged 4.8 yards per carry and rushed for 1,106 yards in 13 games as a rookie last season the Rams have struggled to run the ball. Gurley is averaging only 2.9 yards per carry thus far with a season-long run of just 16 yards.
Defensively, the Rams are led by All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The last time the Rams and Giants met, the Giants won, 37-27. During that game, physical play from the Rams — including a sideline hit by linebacker Alec Ogletree — baited Odell Beckham Jr. and led to a brawl. The Giants will be wary of similarly aggressive tactics this time.
“We know what happened in that game, two years ago when we played there. Obviously they were trying to get after him and hit him, so we have to make sure that we go out there and play within the whistles and make sure that we are protecting our guys at the same time, said offensive guard Justin Pugh. “But obviously we have to make sure that this game is more focused on going out and playing football than fighting.”
The Giants played in London in 2007, defeating the Miami Dolphins, 13-10. Stay with us all week as we get you ready for Sunday’s game.