The Rams (0-0) begin the 2025 regular season taking on the Texans (0-0) at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 7 is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. pacific time on CBS.
In advance of the contest, here is your First Look at Rams-Texans. First Look for Rams-Texans is presented by Corona.
Notable Texans additions
- Signed former Browns running back Nick Chubb on June 9: Chubb joins Houston after spending the first seven years of his career in Cleveland, the final of two of which were injury-impacted in wake of a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of 2023, and later a broken foot in Week 15 last season. He is in line to be the Texans' No. 1 running back with starter Joe Mixon beginning the season on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, and that may last longer than the regular season opener after Houston general manager Nick Caserio had no clarity last week on whether Mixon will play at all this season.
- Hired former Rams pass game coordinator/tight ends coach Nick Caley as offensive coordinator Feb. 3: The arrival of Caley followed an offensive staff overhaul by head coach DeMeco Ryans that also included the dismissal of offensive line coach Chris Strausser in late January. Houston's offense, therefore, will likely have philosophies and concepts similar to Los Angeles'.
Top performers in 2024
QB C.J. Stroud completed 336 of 532 pass attempts (63.2%) for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
RB Joe Mixon led Houston's backfield with 245 carries for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns.
WR Nico Collins was Stroud's top target with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, all team-highs.
DEs Daniell Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11) paced the Texans' pass rush, while cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Calen Bullock finished with five interceptions each for a Houston defense that recorded the second-most interceptions of any team in the 2024 regular season (19).
On special teams, K Ka'imi Fairbairn made 36 of 42 field goal attempts and 34 of 36 extra point attempts, while P Tommy Townsend averaged 48 yards per punt across 76 punts.
Early storylines to watch, and what they mean for the Rams
The Texans' offensive line underwent significant change this offseason. Not only did it move on from its previous position coach and promote from within for the replacement (Cole Popovich), they also traded away longtime starting left tackle and Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil and signed veteran offensive tackle Cam Robinson and veteran offensive guard Laken Tomlinson in free agency.
Robinson got hurt in training camp, and rookie second-round draft pick Aireontae Ersery took over for him and has remained entrenched at left tackle. Houston also signed former Patriots center Jake Andrews to fill that position. Returnee Tytus Howard helms right tackle after starting training camp at right guard.
So, yes, lots of shuffling and changes, which makes sense after the Texans tied with the Seahawks for the third-most sacks allowed in the 2024 regular season.
That new combination will go against a Rams pass rush much more confident. Roles were established and the group found its stride over the second half of 2024 and ended the year with the 10th-highest pressure rate in the league (35.6%), according to Next Gen Stats.
On the flip side, a Rams offensive line with experience and continuity facing a strong Texans pass rush led by Anderson and Hunter also bears watching. For as much talent as there is at the skill positions on both sides of the ball for both teams, the matchups worth paying closest attention to are in the trenches.
