Rarely does a kicker dominate headlines going into an NFL game, especially one who won't even make the trip to London for the Giants' Week 7 matchup against the Rams at Twickenham Stadium — the first NFL game ever to be played at the historic venue.
For unfortunate reasons, that's the case.
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Troubled kicker Josh Brown's absence, though, won't be a concern for New York and Los Angeles players after either the Rams' Greg Zuerlein or the Giants' Robbie Gould kicks off Sunday. Both teams are sitting at 3-3 and need a win to keep pace in their respective divisions.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning has underachieved this season, while Rams quarterback Case Keenum has overachieved. Go figure. Is this where New York gets back on track in the NFC East? Are the Rams about to force people to take them seriously in the West?
Depends on which SN NFL writer you ask — David Steele or Vinnie Iyer.
Giants-Rams predictions
STEELE: Rams, 26-21 — The Giants appear to be in mortal fear of Odell Beckham Jr.’s potential to cause an international incident (but aren’t in mortal fear of 222 yards and two touchdowns, notably). The Rams defense, meanwhile, is equipped to give Eli Manning enough problems to eliminate any potential disruption caused by the Giants crossing the goal line. Aaron Donald is pretty much unstoppable right now.
IYER: Giants, 24-16 — So the NFL gets back to Los Angeles, and it yet it decides to ship one of those home games all the way to London. Sure, makes sense. The Giants won’t be complaining, having the much shorter trip to an away game than the "hosts." Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. got going just in time to face a reeling Rams pass defense, hurt by injuries all over. Case Keenum and Kenny Britt also come in red-hot but face a tough group, finished off by familiar foe Janoris Jenkins. Two French-sounding guys, Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul, also come through in England.
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Giants-Rams stats that matter
Giants: Won six straight vs. Rams, last five by 10-plus points; tied with Chiefs for longest current win streak vs. Rams
Giants: Have only lost four of first six games twice in Eli Manning era (2013 and '14)
Rams: Last win vs. Giants came during 2001 Super Bowl season, with Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk
Rams: 20-8 all-time vs. Giants as Los Angeles Rams
Giants defense: Worst in NFL in sacks (6) and forced turnovers (3)
Eli Manning: 4-0 win-loss, 12-1 TD-INT ratio vs. Rams; 124.1 pass rating and 293 passing yards per game are both his best vs. any team
Manning: 124.1 career passer rating vs. Rams is best by any QB vs. Rams franchise since 1960
Case Keenum: Set Rams franchise record last week with 19 straight completions, passing Jim Everett (1989)
Odell Beckham Jr.: 222 receiving yards in Week 2 was most by Giants player since Del Shofner had 269 in 1962; 4th Giant with 200
Beckham: Only player with back-to-back 200-yard receiving games is Josh Gordon in 2013
Todd Gurley: 2.91 yards per carry is worst in NFL among players with 50-plus carries; no one else below 3.0
WATCH: Giants prepare for Rams in London
Giants-Rams game info
Kickoff time: 9:30 a.m. ET
TV network: NFL Network (no live stream)
Contributing: Alex Novick