Now that the Rams' 2025 schedule is officially out, it's time to resume our offseason opponent breakdowns on theRams.com.
The series kicks off with Los Angeles' Week 1 home opponent, the Houston Texans (Sept. 7, 1:25 p.m. PT on CBS).
2024
Year 2 of the DeMeco Ryans era started off strong as Houston won six of its first eight games. A 4-5 record over the second half of the season slowed that momentum a bit, but thanks to a win in Week 15 and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans managed to clinch the AFC South and a playoff berth.
Earning the No. 4 seed in the AFC, Houston defeated the Chargers 32-12 in the Wild Card Round before falling to the Chiefs 23-14 in the Divisional Round.
Two of the biggest challenges endured by the Texans in 2024 were their offensive line's performance and injuries – both of which were also variables in quarterback C.J. Stroud's statistical regression in his second season. Two of Stroud's top targets in wide receivers Stefon Diggs (torn ACL in Week 8) and Tank Dell (multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in Week 16) went down with season-ending injuries; wide receiver Nico Collins missed five games last season due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 5.
Key changes
Diggs departed in free agency and signed with the Patriots; reserve guard/center Kendrick Green departed in free agency and signed with the Bills; starting right guard Shaq Mason was released. Additionally, the Texans traded away starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders.
Houston also parted ways with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and hired former Rams pass game coordinator/tight ends coach Nick Caley as his replacement. It also moved on from offensive line coach Chris Strausser and promoted assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich into Strausser's old role.
Head coach
Ryans enters his third season as head coach of the Texans, compiling a 20-14 regular season record and 2-2 playoff record through his first two years.
What to watch for
Battle in the trenches
Who knows what the Texans' remade offensive line could look like between now and early September, but the interior of that front was not addressed in the draft after being identified as a major need by several analysts. They signed veteran Laken Tomlinson to a one-year deal in free agency, but most experts don't view the problem as adequately solved.
Now, connect this with a Rams defensive line that finished in the top 10 in pressure rate (35.6%) in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats, and added veteran defensive tackle Poona Ford.
