Matthew Stafford leads 3 Rams playmakers who must level up in Week 2

The Los Angeles Rams' highly touted offense scored the fewest points of any Week 1 team and looked just as bad as that badge of horror suggests. It'll have to get a lot better across the board for this team to avoid an 0-2 debut.

That starts with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had his worst outing since Week 1 in 2022, but he's far from alone. 

Among the countless candidates, here are three, led by No. 9 himself, who must improve when the Horns host the Giants on Monday Night Football.

3 Rams playmakers who headlined Week 1 letdowns

Quarterback Matt Stafford

Myles Garrett owned up to being the "worst version" of himself, a version we now know was influenced by injury. Stafford wasn't hurt (that we know of), but he could have said the same thing of his own performance: 15-of-25 passing for 155 yards and an interception. 

That was anything but a characteristic display from the reigning MVP. Stafford missed open targets, sailed his throws, and simply didn't have his typical Picasso-esque touch. His brush strokes strayed all over the canvas, which the Rams simply can't afford against a talented Giants defense, especially up front. He'll have to be better.

Wide receiver Davante Adams 

Rams fans read all offseason about the refined connection they could expect between Adams and Stafford after a full training camp together. Stafford promptly had one of his worst games in recent history while Adams finished with three grabs on six targets for 26 yards. Talk about underwhelming.

It wasn't all Adams' fault, of course; Stafford chucked one over his head when Adams peeled open on the sideline late in the game. But Adams himself struggled to get open, giving his quarterback little hope of fitting the ball into a non-existent window. 

For all the talk of Adams' lack of early rhythm with Stafford a year ago, he was less productive Thursday than in all but two games in 2025 - in the playoffs against the Bears and in Week 11 against Seattle. 

Tight end Terrance Ferguson

More irony: after being tagged as a breakout candidate all summer, Ferguson was nearly invisible in Australia. Again, it was a collective letdown, not all Ferguson's fault. What's he supposed to do with one target? 

Stafford airmailed it, but Ferguson made little tangible impact in his 31 offensive snaps, despite the Rams' trademark use of heavy-personnel sets featuring tight ends front and center.

For the offense to survive with two main receivers and little depth behind them, LA tight ends have to be productive pass-catchers in addition to sturdy blockers. On the day, they hauled in just four catches for 31 yards, one of which turned into a Tyler Higbee fumble. 

Like the rest of the tight end room and almost everyone on the roster, Ferguson must pick up the pace in Week 2 or leave the Rams' train stuck at the station. 

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