The Los Angeles Rams opened their 2025 campaign with a home game against the AFC South’s Houston Texans on Sunday at SoFi Stadium and earned a 14-9 victory to start their season off with a 1-0 record.
Los Angeles went into the game with plenty of questions, specifically some surrounding quarterback Matthew Stafford, who missed most of training camp with a back injury.
However, they were able to answer a few questions and keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, who also won their Week 1 matchups against the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
As we do after every game, let’s take a look at some Rams who deserve more credit for their efforts against the Texans, as well as some who will need to reflect after this one.
STUD: QB Matthew Stafford
After one of the most intriguing offseasons in recent memory, Stafford went out and impressed on Sunday, completing 21 of his 29 attempts (72.4%) for 245 yards and one touchdown. Rams head coach Sean McVay even felt so good about Stafford’s health that he let him attempt a sneak (which failed). The fact that he got threw the game healthy and didn’t look hampered is a huge win.
STUD: WR Puka Nacua
Without Cooper Kupp, Nacua took over as the team’s top receiver on Sunday, despite McVay saying Nacua and Davante Adams were both No. 1. Nacua showed exactly why he’s deserving of the title, catching 10 passes for 130 yards. When Stafford needed a play, Nacua was his guy, and that’s exactly what you want out of a true No. 1.
DUD: TE Colby Parkinson
Despite Los Angeles’ true TE1 (Tyler Higbee) being a no-show on Sunday, Parkinson was the most disappointing player in the position room. He caught two passes for -6 yards and fumbled with just over four minutes to go, giving the Texans a chance to come back and win. The fact that third-string tight end Davis Allen scored makes Parkinson’s day look even worse.
STUD: LB Nate Landman
Landman signed a one-year deal with the Rams this offseason after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. He had a team-high 10 tackles and forced Dare Ogunbowale to fumble on Houston’s final drive, stifling their comeback attempt with less than two minutes to go.
DUD: LB Troy Reeder
Reeder, who has been a thorn in Rams fans’ sides, was called for holding on a kick return in the first quarter that Jordan Whittington returned 74 yards to Houston’s 23-yard line. Instead, the Rams got the ball at their own 25. Considering his only other impactful play was pushing a punt returner out after a 10-yard gain, he earns the dud.
STUD: LB Byron Young
In the first game of his third season in the league, Young made an impact immediately, finishing with nine tackles (third on Los Angeles’ defense behind Landman and Kam Curl) and sacking C.J. Stroud for a 13-yard loss, effectively ending the Texans’ first drive of the second quarter before it even really started.
DUD: S Quentin Lake
Lake was far from the best defender on the field on Sunday, getting called for as many penalties as he had tackles (two). The first penalty (a holding in the second quarter) helped put Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn in position for a 53-yard field goal as time expired in the half. Luckily for Lake, the second penalty (another holding) was declined due to a 15-yard gain from Stroud to Justin Watson.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Texans: Studs and duds from Los Angeles’ Week 1 win over Houston
Reporting by Mike Masala, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
