Pleasanton

PleasantonCA.city — Tri-Valley neighborhood news with hometown heart.

Back to Sport

Stafford's 327 yards power Rams past Giants 28-6 in SoFi showdown

Matthew Stafford threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns as the Los Angeles Rams dominated the New York Giants 28-6 at SoFi Stadium, securing a 1-1 start.

Knox Esparza

September 23, 20263 min read

Sunlit Stadium - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
New York Giants6
Los Angeles Rams28

September 22, 2026

Stafford and Adams dominate early

Matthew Stafford delivered a commanding performance from the start, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a decisive 28-6 victory over the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The quarterback connected with Davante Adams for a 31-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, setting the tone for a game that was largely decided before the halftime whistle.

Stafford finished the day with 22 completions on 31 attempts for 327 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. His chemistry with Adams was evident, as the receiver hauled in eight passes for 195 yards and two scores. The Rams scored 14 points in the first half, outpacing the Giants, who managed only a single field goal by Dominic Zvada in the second quarter.

Kyren Williams also contributed significantly to the passing attack, catching a 10-yard touchdown from Stafford in the second quarter. Williams rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries, providing a balanced threat that kept the Giants' defense off balance. Harrison Mevis successfully converted all four extra points, ensuring the Rams maintained their lead throughout the contest.

Giants struggle to find rhythm

The New York Giants found it difficult to generate offensive momentum against the Rams' defense. Jameis Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and threw an interception. The Giants' ground game was led by Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries, while Darnell Mooney caught two passes for 48 yards.

The only other points for New York came from Zvada, who kicked a 52-yard field goal in the third quarter to briefly narrow the gap. However, the Rams quickly responded with another touchdown to maintain their dominance. The Giants' inability to sustain drives and score touchdowns allowed the Rams to control the pace of the game.

The defensive effort by Los Angeles was pivotal, limiting the Giants to just six points and preventing any significant scoring drives. The home crowd of 73,773 witnessed a display of offensive excellence from the Rams, who scored 28 points without any defensive touchdowns or safety.

Final stretch and records

In the fourth quarter, the Rams added to their lead with a five-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Terrance Ferguson. This play sealed the final score at 28-6. Both teams finished the game with a 1-1 record, marking a mixed start to their seasons.

The Rams' offensive line protected Stafford effectively, allowing him to make clean throws and extend drives. The Giants' defense struggled to contain the Rams' passing game, giving up 28 points and over 400 total yards of offense. The game concluded at SoFi Stadium, with the Rams demonstrating their ability to execute under pressure.

The performance by Stafford and Adams highlighted the team's offensive firepower, while the Giants will look to adjust their strategy in upcoming games. The result reflects the current form of both squads, with the Rams showing a cohesive unit that can dominate on the field.

As the season progresses, both teams will aim to build on their initial results and improve their standings in the league.

Sources

ESPN

Share

Knox Esparza

Knox Esparza covers Pleasanton high school and area college sports.

Related Stories

Sport

The Giants completed their comeback one inning too soon

Bo Davidson’s sacrifice fly completed San Francisco’s comeback from a 3-1 deficit, but Enrique Hernández answered with a ninth-inning homer as the Dodgers beat the Giants 4-3.

Knox EsparzaSeptember 27, 20264 min read

More in Weather