The Los Angeles Rams got their rebound after an embarrassing Week 1 performance overseas against the San Francisco 49ers. LA came out with a point to prove in Week 2, and they put it on the New York Giants. It was a masterclass start to finish from coach Sean McVay. The offense, defense, special teams, you name it. The Rams dominated in every phase, and with a few standout performances on Monday night, the winners and (sole) loser tell the story.

Winners

Wesley Bailey

Starting on the defensive side of the ball, Wesley Bailey is probably the least known member of that pass-rushing unit and defensive line. Bailey looked great on Monday night, and it backs up a lot of what you heard about him during Rams training camp and the preseason. On Monday night, he showed he’s a twitchy pass rusher with a ability to win on the edge. He looked good. Bailey is going to be a good player, especially while the Los Angeles Rams are waiting for Myles Garrett to get back in the mix.

Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald made his debut after years away from the Rams. I know he didn’t have a sack, I know he didn’t have a ton of TFLs, and I know he wasn’t super disruptive in the way we’ve seen from him in the past. But for a player years removed from the NFL to come in and play 30 to 40 snaps, blow up a guard or center at the point of attack, and force a TFL in the red zone, I thought Donald played magnificently well for his first game back. I can’t imagine how he’s going to look with more time on task.

Terrance Ferguson

On the offensive side, Terrance Ferguson had 6 catches for 54 receiving yards, and hauled in a touchdown that was an absolute dart from quarterback Matthew Stafford, who ID’d the zone coverage and let it rip. Ferguson became the second-best receiver on the field for the Rams without Puka Nacua, and he delivered.

Davante Adams

Davante Adams went for just under 200 receiving yards. If Monday night didn’t prove it to anyone who didn’t already know, he is going to be a Hall of Fame wide receiver. He had Giants CB Greg Newsome in a blender. It was not fair out there. Adams was making spectacular catches, pulling in touchdown grabs, and serving as the go-to target with Nacua sidelined. Despite being in his mid-30s, Adams can still play the wide receiver position at an elite level.

Matthew Stafford

And how about the man distributing the ball? Stafford had a great bounce-back game after a forgettable Week 1. He did an excellent job getting the ball to Adams and Ferguson, mixing touch passes with throws over the middle of the field. He still shows that anticipation, that timing, and above all else, that ball velocity. Great game from Stafford, and one that resulted in 4 TD passes and over 300 passing yards.

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Loser

Puka Nacua

In a game like this, it’s hard to find any losers on the field. So we have to go with Puka Nacua, because the Rams just showed they can have a receiver in Adams go for darn near 200 receiving yards and a couple of touchdowns. They can have Stafford hooking up with Ferguson. They can find their run game later and wear down a defense like the Giants. And they did all of that without Nacua.

Nacua, mind you, who is looking to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL despite a troubled offseason off the field, ongoing injury concerns, and missing this game due to an injury. Nacua is undoubtedly one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. But when you watch your team’s offense go to work the way the Rams did against the Giants without you amid everything going on, it’s a fair assessment.