Rams vs Texans Live Game Thread

INGLEWOOD, CA -- The Los Angeles Rams will start their season at home against the Houston Texans. This is a matchup between two reigning division champs that made the playoffs last season but fell short in the divisional round to the two teams that would eventually represent the AFC and NFC in the Super Bowl.

Both of these teams want to set the tone for the year, and one of the most critical matchups to look at for this game will be how the Texans' offensive line handles the Rams' defensive front. CJ Stroud's sophomore slump was largely due to the lack of pass protection around him.

Due to this, DeMeco Ryans may elect to get the ball quickly out of Stroud's hands via quick routes or pitches, as well as hand the ball off. The Texans want to avoid giving the Rams the advantage on defense, as that can quickly snowball into a loss for them.

Rams Game Plan

The Rams head into this game with major concerns surrounding their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford. A back injury prevented him from participating in practices for the majority of the preseason, but Sean McVay has confirmed he will be available for their season opener.

Due to the uncertainty regarding his back, as well as the Texans possessing an impressive pass rush, I believe the Rams will want to run the ball as much as they can. They gave Kyren Williams a contract extension earlier this offseason. Why not let him settle their offense in this first game of the new season?

However, the Rams have too much talent in their receiving room not to make the most of it. The Texans have the personnel to bottle up their passing attack, but it's only a matter of time before the combination of Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and second-round rookie Terrance Ferguson breaks free and Stafford's able to hit them for a big play.

Outlook on the Game

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans watches a play against Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 23, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ultimately, I believe this game will come down to which team's coaching staff does a better job at calling plays and playing to their strengths. Both of these teams have a lot of star power on both sides of the ball, but it'll be a chess match between McVay and Ryans that decides the victor.

The game kicks off at 4:25 PM EST/ 1:25 PM PST and can be watched on CBS!

Be sure to follow along with our live game thread for updates throughout the contest.

START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:

SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Texans hit a 51-yard field goal attempt to take an early 3-0 lead.

PENALTY: Offensive holding on the kickoff return, Rams OL Troy Reeder

PENALTY: Unnecessary roughness on Texans CB Henry To'oTo'o

INJURY: Rams WR Puka Nacua injured

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Texans lead, 3 - 0

START OF THE SECOND QUARTER:

PENALTY: Offensive Holding, Rams TE Tyler Higbee

SACK: 13-yard sack for Rams LB Bryon Young

BIG PLAY: Rams QB Matthew Stafford fumbled the ball, Rams retained possession

BIG PLAY: Texans QB CJ Stroud fumbled the ball; the Texans retained possession

SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Texans hit another field goal, 45-yarder, Texans lead 6 - 0

2-MINUTE TIMEOUT

SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Rams RB Kyren Williams 1-yard TD run, Rams up 1, 7 - 6

PENALTY: False Start on Texans TE Dalton Schultz

PENALTY: Defensive Holding on Rams S Quentin Lake

SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Texans with another field goal, a 53-yarder for Ka'imi Fairbairn

HALFTIME: Texans lead 9 - 7

START OF THE THIRD QUARTER:

BIG PLAY: Matthew Stafford finds Rams WR Xavier Smith for a 36-yard pass

PENALTY: Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr., illegal use of the hands

SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Rams QB Matthew Stafford throws into the hands of TE Davis Allen for a touchdown, Rams leading 14 - 9

PENALTY: Texans WR Jayden Higgins' illegal shift

PENALTY: Texans OL Laken Tomlinson false start

SACK: Rams DE Tyler Davis sacks CJ Stroud for a 12-yard loss

INTERCEPTION: Rams CB Cobie Durant picks off CJ Stroud

SACK: Texans CB Henry To'oTo'o brings down Matthew Stafford for a loss of 7 yards

PENALTY: Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon illegal contact

PENALTY: Texans OL Blake Fisher held the facemask of Rams Jared Verse

PENALTY: Texans DE Darrell Taylor neutral zone infraction

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER:

Rams lead by 14 - 9

START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER:

PENALTY: Rams OL Beaux Limmer with a false start

SACK: Texans DT Folorunso Fatukasi brings down Matthew Stafford for an 8-yard loss

PENALTY: Texans LB EJ Speed encroachment penalty

SACK: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. takes down Matthew Stafford for a 6-yard loss

INJURY: Rams OL Kevin Dotson is down with an injury

BIG PLAY: Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair lodges the ball free from Rams TE Colby Parkinson, Texans DE Danielle Hunter recovers the fumble

PENALTY: Texans TE Cade Stover illegal shift

PENALTY: Rams DE Kobie Turner roughing the passer penalty on Texans CJ Stroud

BIG PLAY: Rams DE Braden Fiske recovers a fumble after Rams LB Nate Landman punches it out from Texans RB Dare Ogunbowale

PENALTY: Rams TE Davis Allen with offensive holding

BIG PLAY: Rams QB Matthew Stafford hits WR Puka Nacua for a 24-yard strike, effectively icing the game

FINAL SCORE: Rams win their season opener against the Texans, 14 - 9

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