​It didn’t take long for the Los Angeles Rams to go from the most popular preseason Super Bowl pick to feeling a little desperate. The first days of the season have been bad for the Rams. They had an ugly 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. After the game, defensive end Myles Garrett had knee surgery, went on injured reserve and doesn’t have a timetable for return. Then receiver Puka Nacua popped up on the injury report with a hip injury and a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday said his status is trending in the “wrong direction” for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants. So in less than two weeks the Rams lost their opener with practically every player performing below their standard, then lost arguably the best defensive player in the NFL for a stretch and might have to be without one of the league’s best offensive players against the Giants. The Giants don’t look like a pushover this season either. New York was excellent in its opener against the Dallas Cowboys, which was a 28-20 win. The Giants offense had an efficient night, controlling the ball for 36:40, and the defense did a good job controlling Dallas’ offense. There were evident changes in the first game of the John Harbaugh era. The Rams have already seen the Seahawks and 49ers start the season 2-0 in the NFC West. Falling to 0-2 in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions would be an early hole the Rams never expected to find themselves in. But without two of the NFL’s best players, against a Giants team that looked much improved in its opener, it’s a possibility for the Rams at the start of what was supposed to be a championship season. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had 155 yards and no touchdowns in the season opener vs. San Francisco. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)AP Photo/Doug BencWho needs it more?Even with Myles Garrett out and Puka Nacua possibly out as well, the Rams are favored to win by a touchdown. The Giants could lose on the road to a team that is still the Super Bowl betting favorite and be fine with a promising 1-1 start. The Rams would not be fine with an 0-2 start while battling some key injuries, with the Seahawks and 49ers looking great in their division. It’s hard to call any game in Week 2 a must win, especially for a team as good as the Rams, but another loss would not be great. Their upcoming schedule is at Denver, at Philadelphia, vs. Bills. An 0-2 start could become 1-4 or worse. There’s a lot more pressure on Los Angeles this Monday night. Key player: Giants TE Isaiah LikelyIt was significant that the Giants, with John Harbaugh in charge, signed the tight end who he had in Baltimore but never broke out because he was behind Mark Andrews. Likely showed his promise when he played, then he signed a three-year, $40 million deal with Harbaugh’s new team. In the season opener, Likely played a huge role with eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. It seemed like every time Jaxson Dart needed a key play, he was looking Likely