Los Angeles Rams are proven right as biggest offseason investment pays off in season-opening win over Houston Texans
The Los Angeles Rams’ defense lived up to the hype in their Week 1 win over the Houston Texans
The Los Angeles Rams understood that as long as they had Matthew Stafford under center and Sean McVay calling the plays, the offensive side of the ball would be just fine. To win another Super Bowl, the Rams knew their defense had to become better than it had been in recent seasons. To that end, they made it a priority in free agency and the draft to shore up that side of the ball.
They made a big splash signing defensive tackle Poona Ford to shore up their run defense up front while also bringing in Nate Landman to captain their linebacker room and re-signed Ahkello Witherspoon to add experience to their young secondary. In the draft, they spent plenty of capital adding pass rusher Josaiah Stewart and defensive tackle Ty Hamilton alongside undrafted free agent Shaun Dolac to add some young, developmental talent to their front seven.
With all of those reinforcements added, the Rams felt confident in their new-look defense heading into this season. Against the Houston Texans in Week 1, that confidence paid off with a tremendous showing by the defense.
Rams’ Defense Shuts Down C.J. Stroud
With the Rams’ offense facing arguably the best defense in the league, the defense knew they had to make several big plays if the Rams wanted to walk out of Week 1 with a victory. They answered the call, and more, in this one, virtually shutting down Houston’s offense all game and rattling C.J. Stroud.
Los Angeles sacked Stroud three times and forced two turnovers, holding the Texans to just nine points (all from field goals). It was the fifth time in the last seven games the Rams have held their opponent to ten points or fewer.
The Rams’ pass rush catered the Texans’ reshuffled offensive line, creating 16 pressures, nine hurries, four hits, and three sacks on Stroud, while the defense shut down the Texans’ rushing attack, allowing just 114 yards on 27 carries. Nick Chubb led Houston with just 60 yards on the ground. Jared Verse led the team in pressures and sacks.
The defense created perhaps the most important play of the day, and it came courtesy of one of their biggest acquisitions of the offseason. With their 14-9 lead slipping away in the final minutes, the Rams’ defense needed a stop. Houston drove all the way down to the Rams’ 25 yard line with just under two minutes left in the game.
Stroud checked a pass down to running back Dare Ogunbowale, who quickly turned upfield for a good gain of seven yards. Before finishing the play, however, the Rams made their biggest play of the day. Free agent signing linebacker Nate Landman pulled off a perfect “Peanut Punch”, forcing a fumble that the Rams would recover, effectively sealing their win.
Despite plenty of criticism in the offseason, including from me, the Rams held firm with their vision for this unit and what it could become this year with all of their returning talent.
Thanks to some timely acquisitions and an aggressive coach, this unit looks ready to play complementary football for their high-flying offense.
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