By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Rams came out fired up for their true home opener and rolled to a 28-6 victory over the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium.
But the biggest roar of the night came before the game even began.
Aaron Donald ran onto the field for the first time since the end of the 2023 season, sending the SoCal crowd into a frenzy. His return brought an immediate burst of energy to the Rams and their fans.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said he was “so juiced” after watching Donald run out of the tunnel.
“I couldn’t control myself,” Stafford said.
Donald’s Return Energizes Rams
Donald finished with three tackles and a tackle for loss while playing 32 defensive snaps, or 58.2% of the Rams’ defensive plays, according to Next Gen Stats. He was credited with zero pressures.
On the Giants’ opening series, Donald made an immediate impact, fighting through three blockers to bring down running back Cameron Skattebo for a loss.
Asked whether Donald was playing on a snap count, Rams coach Sean McVay joked, “What do you think?”
“You tell him to come out,” McVay added.
McVay said Donald’s presence naturally draws attention and raises the level of the players around him.
“He elicits attention,” McVay said. “He brings everybody up around him. And I didn’t think it was by coincidence that the energy that we played with [tonight]. I thought really the defensive coaches did a great job with their game plan, but ultimately just elevating situations he’s in and people that he’s around and that’s what the greats do and that’s what he does.”
Stafford, Adams Lead the Offense
Stafford put together a big night, completing 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns.
With Puka Nacua sidelined by a hip injury, Stafford spread the ball around and connected with nine different receivers.
Davante Adams was the primary beneficiary, catching 10 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He had five catches for 145 yards before halftime, including a 31-yard touchdown and a 64-yard reception that set up another Rams score.
Adams finished just 11 yards short of his career high of 206 receiving yards.
He also tied Torry Holt and Michael Irvin for the ninth-most 100-yard receiving games in NFL history, with 47.
Stafford continued to climb the NFL record book as well.
His third-quarter, 11-yard touchdown pass to Adams was the 426th regular-season touchdown pass of his career, moving him past Philip Rivers. Stafford now trails only Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Aaron Rodgers (528) on the all-time list, followed by Brett Favre (508).
“This game is a special game,” Stafford said. “It’s treated me and my family and my life really well. So, just happy to be a part of it and have so much respect for those guys that did it before me.”
Stafford also became the second player in NFL history to record at least 25 games with three or more touchdown passes for multiple franchises. He has 25 such games with the Rams and 42 with the Detroit Lions.
Defense Takes Control
The Rams defense held New York to just 182 total yards, nearly 200 fewer than the 49ers produced against Los Angeles in Week 1.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart left the game early in the first quarter, further complicating New York’s efforts to generate offense.
With Donald back in the lineup, the Rams defense helped set the tone from the opening possession and kept the Giants from finding any sustained offensive rhythm.
For the Rams, the 28-6 victory provided an energetic homecoming — and Donald’s return made the night even more memorable.