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St Louis Rams @ NY Giants
Monday September 19
Live on ESPN 23:55

For two clubs with play-off aspirations the season could not have got off to a worse start. Both were defeated in their first games and have rosters that are blighted by injuries. In fact the Giants suffered more than most in pre-season on that score.

After allowing the Redskins' Rex Grossman to throw for more than 300 yards last week as they were defeated 28-14, the Giants must be wishing that their former defensive co-ordinator Steve Spagnuolo was still at the club rather than Head Coach of the Rams. Spagnuolo was part of the coaching team that saw the Giants crowned Super Bowl champions thanks in part to a formidable defensive unit.

And it is the defensive unit that has given the Giants the most headaches this year - Justin Tuck missed the opener with a neck injury and Osi Umenyiora will probably remain out with a knee injury. Five other key defensive players were already lost for the year before the season started, with cornerback Terrell Thomas and linebacker Jonathan Goff the most notable. Those injury problems really showed up against the Redskins and the only saving grace is that the Rams have a considerable amount of question marks against their offence.

It looks likely that the NFL offensive rookie of the year - quarterback Sam Bradford will be ready to go after injuring his finger in the Rams opening day loss to the Eagles. What would hamper the Rams in a major way would be the loss of one or both of Steven Jackson or Danny Amendola. Jackson was injured without contact on a 47-yard touchdown run on the Rams' first play last week and left with a strained right quadricep after one more carry. Amendola, who led the team with 85 catches last year, is out with a dislocated left elbow. If both of those were missing it would seriously hamper the Rams chances of generating any meaningful offence and increase the pressure on Bradford.

Both teams have their faults and neither are the strongest of betting propositions given the uncertainty about the make-up of the teams, although home advantage and the extra experience may just tilt this in favour of the Giants.

Recommended Bet
Back New York Giants -1.5 @ 1.71 or better

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