Rams Secure a Victory Against the Texans
The Los Angeles Rams opened the season with a 14-9 win over the Houston Texans in a game decided in the final minute. Houston struck first with C.J. Stroud completing five of eight passes for 49 yards in the first quarter and Ka’imi Fairbairn hitting a 51-yard field goal. The Rams didn’t get on the board until the second quarter. It’s known that once they did, they started to take control.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua took some big hits early, which kept him out for much of the first half, but he made an immediate impact when he returned with a 19-yard catch. Kyren Williams scored on a one-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one with just under a minute left in the half. Fairbairn added a 53-yard field goal to close the quarter. By halftime, Stroud was eight of 13 for 86 yards, and Matthew Stafford was eight of 14 for 73 yards.
Stafford opened the second half by connecting with tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown. The Rams’ defense continued to make plays, including a sack by Byron Young and another by Jaylen McCollough. In the fourth, Davante Adams started with a 24-yard catch to Houston’s 39. Just when the Rams seemed in control, Colby Parkinson had the ball knocked out, which Defensive End Danielle Hunter recovered at the 19. A roughing-the-passer penalty on Kobie Turner extended Houston’s drive to the Rams’ 41. In the next series, Nate Landman forced a fumble on Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale, which Braden Fiske recovered on the Rams’ 19. Stafford then threw a clutch pass on third-and-eight to Nacua with 1:19 left to seal the win. Stafford finished the game 21/29 with 245 yards and a touchdown.
After a tense season opener full of key defensive plays and big hits, the Rams leave the field 1-0 and ready to build on this hard-fought game to start the season. While there are still areas to improve, such as sustaining drives and limiting penalties, the team’s ability to execute in the final minutes demonstrates a winning mentality that could carry through the season. If the Rams continue to blend opportunistic defense with timely offensive plays, they could set the stage for a competitive and memorable 2025 campaign. For now, this opening victory gives the team confidence, excites the fans, and provides a solid foundation to build upon as the season unfolds.
