Texans at Rams, 9/7, 4:25 et 1:25 pt … w/ broadcast map

Rams Matthew Stafford Puts in Shocking Performance in Tuesday’s Practice
The Los Angeles Rams went full throttle in practice as they stacked up another successful day of improvement

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-chris-shula-cleveland-browns-matthew-stafford-sean-mcvay

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams participated in a late day practice, following their roster decisions. With the 53-man roster set, here’s what happened at practice.

Matthew Stafford

On Stafford’s very first throw, he hit Puka Nacua with a pass that needed the perfect amount of touch, timing, and power while under pressure with a closing passing lane. Stafford on Tuesday was in peak form, demanding nothing but the best of himself. He’s ready to roll and the offense is ready to run through a brick wall.

On one play, Stafford found Tutu Atwell downfield. To make the throw, Stafford was off-balence, moving against his momentum and yet, rocketed the ball right into Atwell’s hands. Problem was Atwell dropped what would have been a touchdown.

This might be a concern because Atwell did drop another downfield pass in training camp but I wouldn’t read too much into it. Atwell caught a few more passes on the day and he’s a gamer who plays best when the lights are bright.

I expressed concerns about him and then he torched the Cowboys so take that as you will.

Stafford in the meantime was poised, proficient, and executed well in the red zone. Puka Nacua was a top target for him.

Run Defense

While it’s way too premature to state the Rams have the best run defense in the NFL, especially after we saw the Philadelphia Eagles run all over them in the playoffs, the front office made it clear that the Eagles performance should never happen again.

Two men have quickly factored into the team’s dominant performances and that is Poona Ford and Nate Landman. Ford, the quintessential double-team killer, has plugged up the interior with whomever is beside him. While one would expect Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske to be those guys, do not discount what Tyler Davis has done as well.

Ford has been a perpetual force and he was one of the reasons why the Chargers went from having one of the worst defenses in 2024 to the NFL’s number one scoring defense in 2024.

Jared Verse controls the edge better than anyone and Nate Landman has been supurb in maintaining gap integrity. Let’s not forget Omar Speights, who has played sound football with a fearless mentality.

Kyren Williams

I can’t go into details, but what I saw from Kyren Williams on Monday excited the football palate. With the Notre Dame running back now under contract for the foreseeable future, Sean McVay has peeled back the next evolution of his offense, and Williams is the perfect fit for everything McVay needs.

Williams is Stafford’s right hand man so expect constant communication between the two as unlike a lot of quarterbacks in the modern NFL, Stafford is a true field general and Williams is willing to be positioned in whatever way his quarterback needs.

Rams Make Bold Claims After Light Day of Work
The Los Angeles Rams followed up two hard days of practice with a standard jog through that still brought the juice

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-matthew-stafford-mike-lafleur-steve-avila

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams participated in a jog through on Wednesday after two days of solid work. Here’s what you need to know about what has been happening around the facility.

Highlight of the day: Steve Avila somehow ended up with the football and immediately booked it to the end zone. He was hauling down the field like he was prime Earl Campbell. Fun to watch.

Matthew Stafford

Stafford was once again a full participant in practice. While the Rams have yet to confirm if he’ll play week one, a decision they’ll likely hold off until next week, should Stafford practice tomorrow, it would mark two full weeks he has been out on the field, working with the team, and with next week being game week, he’s getting right at the right time.

The official position of the Rams remains that they’re taking things day by day.

Alaric Jackson and D.J Humphries

Alaric Jackson participated as well. He remains on schedule in regards to his treatment plan. The Rams have yet to make a decision if Jackson will play this week. If he doesn’t, the Rams have multiple options to fill the position but haven’t announced who will start if the scenario that Jackson does not get the nod.

D.J. Humphries is dealing with a slight injury issue as Sean McVay reported on Monday.

“He had a little ankle [injury] yesterday,” stated McVay. “He’s going to be okay.” Humphries did participate in practice.

Rams OC Mike LaFleur did mention that he can’t remember a time in which he had such a deep offensive line group.

Josaiah Stewart

Josaiah Stewart has been working his way back from a concussion Sean McVay reported on Monday.

“He’s in the concussion protocol,” stated McVay. “He ended up having a little incident last week. Hopefully we’ll get him out of that. He’s doing good and making good progress.”

Stewart was an active participant in practice.

Mike LaFleur

Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur made a definitive statement about the wide receiver room in the beginning of his presser.

“In the 12 years being in the league, I haven’t been around on paper, as deep of a group as what we got,” stated LaFleur.

LaFleur went on to say that it’s a huge benefit to have so many returning players, both on the roster and practice squad, going out of his way to complement the tight end room. He loves what he sees on paper but emphasized that it’s all about putting everything together in order to play good football.

Rams Morning Report: The Race to Week One

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-matthew-stafford-sean-mcvay-poona-ford-chris-shula-houston-texans

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams have officially entered week one of the 2025 NFL season and with Super Bowl ambitions, here’s everything you need to know about the team.

Matthew Stafford

As mentioned, Stafford is set to undergo another full week of practice. He’s had two straight and from all accounts, he’s game ready. He has no limitations and we’ve seen him partake in various team activities, being able to place the ball wherever he wants.

One of the things that I have yet to report is the decision making of Stafford. Stafford has been pushing this offense full throttle and while he’s been making sound decisions, he’s been uncorking the ball anytime he feels he has an opportunity to make a play downfield. However, he has not been throwing interceptions, making it clear he’s still reading defenses at an elite level.

The entire offensive operation needed to be improved after practice on Thursday. With three days off, the team should be back at full speed.

Alaric Jackson

Alaric Jackson is set to resume full football activities this week, barring any setbacks.

“I think we’re getting healthy at the right time. [Offensive Lineman] Alaric Jackson will be out there on Monday,” stated Sean McVay. “He’ll also be a full participant if the plans go accordingly on Wednesday and Thursday and take part in the walk-through on Friday. I’m excited to be able to get him back out there as well.”

If Jackson is unable to play on Sunday, the Rams have yet to name who will start in his place.

Houston Texans

The Texans are giving complete control of their offense to CJ Stroud. While we have covered the fact that Stroud’s new offensive coordinator is former Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley, let’s dive into what this all means. Stroud now has complete control of the offense, being allowed to make audibles and change protections at the line of scrimmage. Expect him to target Nico Collins often.

The Texans are also expected to play several rookies on offense with tackle Aireontae Ersery impressing many. It’s unclear if Ersery will get the start against the Rams.

The Defense

Nate Landman and Omar Speights as expected were named starters by Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Landman, recently named captain, is expected to be the defensive signal caller. Quentin Lake and Kobie Turner are the other defensive captains.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/09/02/rams-texans-sean-mcvay-week-1-quote/85935747007/

The Texans are going to be a tough out for the Rams to open the season and Sean McVay is fully aware of that. He’s not looking past this team in the slightest bit, explaining on Monday what makes Houston such a “great challenge” for the Rams.

“They’re a great team. I think they take on the personality of their head coach and DeMeco is a guy – they’re physical, tough, they play smart, they toe the line. I think that’s reflected in all three phases,” he said. “They have continuity in the defense and on the special teams where they’ve been excellent. Then I think they’ve been really dang good the last couple years on offense. Obviously took a little bit of a step back, but we know what a great coach Nick Caley is. They kept a lot of their great coaches that were already in place. He and Jerry Schuplinski are really the only new guys as far as I know. It’s excellent personnel. There’s a style of play. There’s a reason why they’ve been a top eight team each of the last couple years. Winning their division and then being able to advance into the Divisional Round. They are excellent. We got a chance to practice against them a year ago, but everything that they are about is what I respect. That’s why we know it’ll be such a great challenge and that’s what you love about the league.”

Ethan Shirazi@Ethanshirazi24
The Rams will wear their white jerseys on Sunday vs the Texans at Sofi Stadium for the season opener game

wv wrote:

Mina: “…rams secondary is not good…”

If the front 7 holds up, and there;s obvious reasons to believe they will, then the secondary is good enough. This is the first time Witherspoon has been through a camp with them. The secondary is not flashy shutdown guys, it’s heady veteran zone guys who also know how to play disguised coverages. The strength of the secondary is with the safeties, who all play multiple roles, which allows them to field multiple defensive fronts.

IMO she’s overstating, based on some concept she has of an ideal coverage secondary. This secondary doesn’t have to be that. As is, like I said, it’s good enough. ‘

But then we hear noise like this–Verse says he realizes now that he has the time when pass rushing to use more elaborate moves which might take a second longer, because he trusts the secondary to give him that time. This was said, I think, as him indicating a contrast with last year.

It may not be as good as I claim–we’ll see– but then I really doubt it’s as bad as she claims.

1st & Tuna@1standtuna
Texans defense will be a tougher test for McVay than I think people are talking about.

Demeco Ryans’ defense in SF gave McVay fits in ‘21-22, he knows the Shanny/McVay tree very well, and has the personnel to completely ruin schemes.

Tough test for McVay, but he’ll win tho!

Jim Youngblood 53@53_jim70721
Texans issue will be their tackles … and not having 1-2 punch at RB … but Rams should win, guessing 24-17 — something like that. Houston has good defense…Rams won’t run up score on them.

But I don’t think Texans offense will move ball with ease.

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
Since being named head coach in 2017 the Rams are 6-2 in season openers under Sean McVay.