INGLEWOOD, Calif. – When he made the defense's game-clinching play, Rams inside linebacker Nate Landman wasn't fully present.

"I actually kind of blacked out," after the peanut punch forced fumble, he said postgame.

When he regained consciousness, his first instinct was to go celebrate with his teammates on the sideline, because he said it wouldn't have been possible without the rest of them.

That takeaway – also made possible by defensive end Braden Fiske extending his right arm to make a one-handed recovery – was the difference between a potential go-ahead touchdown by the Texans and Los Angeles winning its Week 1 home game over Houston 14-9 on Sunday.

"It meant a lot," Landman said. "... Just a great moment for us, for the Rams."

Landman became known not just for his penchant for punch outs throughout training camp, though with six career forced fumbles through his first three seasons, it's something he had a reputation for. He also earned captainship in his first season in Los Angeles by establishing himself as a great communicator and leader since joining as a free agent signee in March.

That all collectively displayed itself across his performance against Houston. He also had a team-high-tying 10 total tackles in addition to that forced fumble.

"We always talk about practice, performance and preparation equaling game reality. That's what this guy's done," head coach Sean McVay said postgame. "He has gotten more punch outs than anybody. He has just a great feel for it, he's so intentional (about it), and I think it's rubbed off on the rest of the group, and he got it at a critical time. You talk about competitive greatness and that was on display. He's such a great communicator. He's just got a great way about himself where he can know how to authentically connect with a bunch of different guys. He's got a swag and a toughness that he plays with that resonates with his teammates. And he closed the game out in a big way for us today."

The punch-out came just as the Texans were approaching the red zone and well within striking distance of a potential go-ahead, game-winning touchdown.

Landman only saw the tail end of the play, but was relieved when he learned Fiske snagged the loose ball.

"He palmed it. I actually originally thought the tackle, one of their own linemen had it," Landman said. "When I saw him get up with it, what a great feeling."