NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams kick off the start to their 2025 season this Sunday as they host the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. Head coach Sean McVay enters his ninth season as the Rams’ head coach and is looking to lead the team to their third Super Bowl appearance under his tenure. Under McVay, the Rams have been known as an offensive team. This season, the Rams bring a young and talented defense to complement the offense.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford returns to spearhead the offense. Throughout training camp, there were concerns that Stafford would not play in week one as he dealt with a lower back injury that kept him out of practices for most of the camp. This week, the Rams announced that Stafford is expected to play. The Texans bring a formidable pass rush and pass protection will be a priority for the Rams, especially Stafford’s blind side. The Rams did get good news this week as starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, who has been dealing with blood clots in his leg that kept him out of training camp, is expected to start against the Texans. With Jackson playing, the Rams will have their projected starting offensive line on the field.
Davante Adams makes his Rams debut at receiver. Adams comes into this season extremely motivated and with the mindset to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Coach McVay is excited about the opportunity of having both Adams and third-year receiver Puka Nacau on the field together. In McVay’s multiple receiver formations, look for Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, and Konata Mumpfield to see playing time on the field. The Texans will focus on limiting the production of Adams and Nacua, but Stafford will look to spread the ball around to his receivers. Tyler Higbee is expected to start at TE, but look for rookie TE Terrance Ferguson to play an integral part of the Rams’ offensive attack.
With the Texans bringing a strong pass rush, look for Coach McVay to use a balanced offensive game plan to keep the Texans’ pass rush honest. RB Kyren Williams should be a focal point in the Rams offensive game plan. Look for Williams to have between 20-25 touches. Last season, the Rams’ offense struggled in the redzone. Coach McVay has RB Blake Corum to use in short-yardage situations to get the tough yards that the Rams struggled to get last season.
Defensively, the team boasts a young and strong front seven. Edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young will look to bring outside pressure to Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula knows Stroud can scramble and extend plays. Both Verse and Young will look to contain the outside pass rush and not give Stroud the ability to escape to the outside. Texans running back Nick Chubb looks to regain the running form he had as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The defensive line of Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and newcomer Poona Ford will look to close up the inside running lane, as the Rams’ outside defenders will look to maintain outside containment and force the Texans runners back to the inside. Inside linebackers Omar Speights and Nate Landman will look to help the defensive line close up the inside running lanes, as well as use their lateral movement to help when the Texan runners look to run to the outside of the defense.
The Rams and Texans look to get the start of the 2025 season off to a strong start. Both teams are expected to bring a strong defensive effort to the game. Look for the use of a balanced offensive attack to keep the Texans’ defense honest. The balanced attack will be the difference. Look for the Rams to win a tough, hard-fought defensive game.
