Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams Preview: Week 1 Showdown
- 5 days ago
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The Houston Texans open the season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be a physical and detail-driven battle. Both teams bring storylines, connections, and high expectations into this matchup.
Historical Context
Sean McVay has been criticized for resting his starters in the preseason, but the results show it hasn’t slowed the Rams early on. Since 2017, McVay’s Rams are 6-2 in Week 1, with most of those wins coming at home. Across the first month of seasons under his leadership, they are 18-9, proving they tend to be ready from the jump.
For Houston, DeMeco Ryans enters year three with playoff aspirations and a roster built to contend. Ryans has seen the Rams plenty from his 49ers days, and while both rosters have changed, his defense knows the challenge ahead.
Familiarity Between the Teams
The Texans and Rams held a joint practice last summer in Houston, giving each staff a look at the other’s tendencies. Coaching ties run even deeper: Rams OC Mike LaFleur overlapped with Ryans in San Francisco from 2017–2020, Texans OC Nick Caley spent the past two years as the Rams’ tight ends coach, and senior advisor Jerry Schuplinski also came over from the Rams.
These connections were largely downplayed in press conferences this week—Ryans, LaFleur, Caley, and McVay all stressed that it’s Week 1, rosters evolve, and schemes adapt every year. Still, the shared history adds another wrinkle to an already intriguing opener.
Quarterbacks add a personal layer as well. C.J. Stroud has openly called Matthew Stafford his favorite quarterback, praising his toughness and ability to manipulate defenses. Facing his role model on opening day gives this matchup an extra storyline.
Rams Defense Under Chris Shula
Promoted in 2024, DC Chris Shula has built a defense around disguise and aggression. His unit plays out of a 5-1 front with heavy Cover 3 and Cover 6 looks, and they led the league in disguise rate last season. The Rams also blitzed at a 30% clip, making them one of the NFL’s more aggressive fronts.
With young edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young plus an athletic interior including Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske, Shula will test Houston’s rebuilt offensive line.
Injury Report
Texans: WRs Braxton Berrios and Christian Kirk have been ruled out with hamstring injuries, tightening Houston’s receiver rotation. On the offensive line, Ed Ingram (abdomen) was limited Thursday and Friday and is questionable. Blake Fisher (ankle) progressed to a full practice Friday, and Cam Robinson returned after missing Wednesday with illness.
Rams: LT Alaric Jackson, who dealt with health issues in the past, practiced fully this week and is set to start. CB Ahkello Witherspoon briefly appeared on the report with a knee issue but Sean McVay indicated he is good to go for Sunday.
Texans Offensive Line Outlook
The line remains a key storyline heading into Week 1. If Ingram can’t play, Houston has options. They could return to the earlier lineup before Robinson’s illness, with Cam Robinson at LT, Laken Tomlinson at LG, Jake Andrews at C, Tytus Howard at RG, and Aireontae Ersery at RT. Another option is slotting Juice Scruggs into Ingram’s spot.
This year, unlike in the past, Houston’s depth and versatility are much stronger. OC Nick Caley emphasized during OTAs the importance of rotating players into different spots to prepare for moments like this. Whoever plays tackle will face Jared Verse and Byron Young, but Caley can scheme help with tight end chips, RB chips, quick passes, and screens to mitigate pressure.
Key Matchups
Aireontae Ersery/Cam Robinson/Tytus Howard vs. Jared Verse & Byron Young – Houston’s tackles will be tested, whether it’s the rookie Ersery or veterans Robinson/Howard. Expect Caley to help them with chips, screens, and quick game concepts if they struggle 1 on 1.
Danielle Hunter & Will Anderson Jr. vs. Alaric Jackson – Houston’s top pass rush duo against a Rams tackle working to settle back in while protecting the blindside of a Quarterback in Matthew Stafford who has been dealing with back issues.
Nico Collins vs. Rams Corners – With Berrios and Kirk out, Collins is Houston’s biggest mismatch advantage. The Texans will look to exploit this, and players like Xavier Hutchinson and rookie Jayden Higgins could also benefit.
Davante Adams in the Slot – The Rams’ prized addition creates matchup problems inside. Houston may use Jalen Pitre in certain alignments, but they’ll want to avoid repeating last year’s mistake against the Jets. On a third-and-short ambiguous down, the Texans sold out with a blitz to stop the run, which left Pitre isolated one-on-one against Adams in the slot. Adams took advantage of that mismatch, a reminder of the risk when disguising pressures.
On clear passing downs, Houston can counter by inserting a true nickel like Jaylin Smith or Myles Bryant (if elevated from the practice squad) to handle slot responsibilities. That adjustment gives DeMeco Ryans more flexibility to disguise coverages while reducing the chance of Adams exploiting a matchup inside.
Keys to the Game
1. Secondary Eye & Motion Discipline
Stafford manipulates safeties with his eyes and is notorious for no-look throws. The Texans’ secondary, especially Calen Bullock and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, must hold their assignments and avoid biting. Discipline also applies to the Rams’ heavy pre-snap and at-snap motion, which forces communication on the fly.
2. Offensive Line Communication
The line looks better than last season, but on the road in a loud environment, communication is critical. Houston must avoid late alignments, blown assignments, and pre-snap penalties while handling Shula’s disguises and pressure.
3. Red Zone Efficiency
The Texans can move the ball, but finishing drives with touchdowns is the difference between winning and losing. Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins provide size mismatches, while Dalton Schultz and screen packages can add variety. A more effective run game inside the 20 could be just as important, giving Houston balance and keeping defenses from overcommitting to the pass. Converting red-zone trips into sevens instead of threes will be vital.
4. Exploit WR Mismatches
Nico Collins against the Rams’ secondary is Houston’s biggest advantage. Los Angeles’ outside corners—Ahkello Witherspoon, who was limited with a knee issue during the week, and Darious Williams—are arguably the weakest links on their defense. If the Texans’ offensive line can hold up or if the run game is effective enough to set up deep play-action shots, Collins could be in position for game-changing chunk plays down the field.
Even if pass protection limits time for deeper routes, Nick Caley’s quick-passing game offers other ways to exploit the matchup. Simple hitches and slants to Collins, particularly against Williams, could allow him to use his size and strength to create separation and produce big yards after catch (YAC).
If Xavier Hutchinson or rookie Jayden Higgins can also win their one-on-one opportunities, Houston could tilt the balance of this matchup through the air.
Prediction
Both teams want to run downhill with gap-scheme attacks and build off play-action. Expect a physical, grind-it-out game with moments of explosive plays from star receivers. Houston’s defense can pressure Stafford, and Stroud has the weapons to take advantage of mismatches outside.
Prediction: Texans 24 Rams 17
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