Stafford Hits Milestone as Rams Grind Out Win Over Texans

The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their 2025 season with a hard-fought 14 to 9 victory over the Houston Texans. Matthew Stafford proved his back is holding up just fine, Puka Nacua looked unstoppable, and the Rams’ defense sealed the game in a matchup dominated by two fierce defensive fronts.

Stafford Settles In and Delivers Vintage Series

Coming into the season with concerns about an aggravated back, Stafford looked like himself against a talented Houston defense. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, showing poise under pressure and still hitting clutch throws.

The defining moment came in the third quarter when Stafford engineered a vintage drive. He connected with Davante Adams on a 15-yard catch-and-run, then dropped a beautiful 36-yard sideline strike to Xavier Smith. Two plays later, he rolled out on play action and found Davis Allen in the end zone.

Stafford was hit often, taking three sacks and absorbing multiple shots, but he kept battling. His chemistry with Puka Nacua (10 receptions, 130 yards) looked midseason-ready, with Nacua thriving in the slot on nearly half his snaps. While a late fumble created some drama, Stafford’s steady hand pushed the Rams over the line.

Texans Offense Stuck in Neutral

Houston spent the offseason trying to rebuild its offensive line, but injuries immediately derailed those plans. Guard Ed Ingram was out before kickoff, Cam Robinson left temporarily, and center Jake Andrews was carted off midgame. The constant shuffling left C.J. Stroud under siege.

Stroud did his best under fire, completing 19 of 27 passes for 188 yards, but he threw one interception and failed to find the end zone. Despite facing pressure on 41 percent of his dropbacks, he completed 9 of 10 passes under duress for 102 yards, showing toughness and accuracy. Still, the lack of a true rushing threat kept the Texans stagnant. Nick Chubb churned out 60 yards on 13 carries, but the offense generated little beyond that. No Houston receiver topped 32 yards.

It was a disappointing start for offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who will need to get more creative to help Stroud and the offense move forward.

Rams Defense Makes the Difference

In a battle of defenses, Los Angeles came up with the bigger plays. Cobie Durant delivered a highlight-reel interception, linebacker Nate Landman forced a clutch fumble in the fourth quarter, and the Rams pressured Stroud on over 40 percent of his dropbacks.

Houston’s defense also had its moments, with Azeez Al-Shaair forcing a late Stafford fumble to give the Texans one more chance. But when it came down to crunch time, the Rams’ defense slammed the door and preserved the win.

By the Numbers

• Matthew Stafford became the second-fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 60,000 passing yards, tying Matt Ryan at 233 games. Only Drew Brees did it faster (215).

• Puka Nacua caught 10 passes for 130 yards, thriving with 44 percent of his snaps in the slot.

• Stroud was pressured on 41.2 percent of his dropbacks, the 14th game of his career with a 40 percent or higher pressure rate, tied for the most in the league since 2023.

The Bottom Line

The Rams opened their season with a gritty win that showcased their stars on both sides of the ball. Stafford proved he still has plenty left in the tank, Nacua continued his ascent as one of the NFL’s top young receivers, and the defense made the winning plays.

For the Texans, it was a frustrating performance. Stroud battled through constant pressure, but the offensive line issues and lack of explosive weapons remain glaring concerns. Unless Houston finds answers up front, this could be another long season of Stroud carrying too much on his shoulders.