Matthew Stafford was not going to be deterred.
Dangerous again?
No downside, apparently.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Stafford stated final week because the Rams ready for Sunday’s season opener towards the Houston Texans. “I’m playing like I always play.”
Stafford began gradual however the Seventeenth-year professional performed nicely sufficient and etched his identify additional into the NFL document ebook because the Rams held on to defeat the Texans 14-9 earlier than 71,346 at SoFi Stadium.
Stafford handed for 245 yards and a landing.
He was not at his best possible. However after sitting out all of coaching camp and a number of other weeks of preseason practices, his capacity to start out and end the sport was a victory unto itself.
Working again Kyren Williams rushed for a landing and tight finish Davis Allen caught a landing move for an offense that noticed the debut of receiver Davante Adams.
New linebacker Nate Landman made the play of the sport within the remaining two minutes when he punched the ball out of operating again Dare Ogunbowale’s arms for a fumble that was recovered by Braden Fiske, preserving the victory.
Cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted a move and Byron Younger and Tyler Davis had sacks for a protection that restricted the Texans to a few subject objectives.
It was sufficient for ninth-year coach Sean McVay to enhance his document to 7-2 in season openers.
Sunday’s sport marked the beginning of the Rams’ tenth season in Los Angeles since coming back from St. Louis.
Their efficiency didn’t precisely price as a ten.
However McVay will take it.
1. Rams tight finish Davis Allen (87) celebrates with teammates after making a landing catch. 2. Rams security Jaylen McCollough celebrates throughout the first half. 3. Rams operating again Kyren Williams tries to evade Houston Texans defenders. 4. Quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates the Rams’ win. 5. Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. pushes Rams huge receiver Jordan Whittington out of bounds within the second quarter. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Stafford accomplished 21 of 29 passes. Puka Nacua caught 10 passes for 130 yards. Adams had 4 receptions for 51 yards. Williams rushed for 66 yards in 18 carries.
The defensive stand on the finish of the sport contrasted with the Rams’ sloppy play within the first half.
Penalties nullified Jordan Whittington’s lengthy kickoff return and the second-year professional’s lengthy move reception. Stafford let a snap within the shotgun formation slip by means of his arms for a fumble and sack. And Nacua, offensive lineman Steve Avila and tight finish Colby Parkinson all left the sport due to accidents.
It was eerily acquainted to final season’ opener, when Nacua, Avila and others suffered accidents that sidelined them for a number of video games and contributed to the Rams’ 1-4 begin.
On Sunday, after being evaluated for a concussion, Nacua returned and got here by means of within the clutch.
Rams coach Sean McVay shares a hand slap with huge receiver Puka Nacua throughout the Rams’ season-opening win.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Rams’ offense managed just one landing within the first half whereas Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked three subject objectives to provide the Texans a 9-7 lead.
However the Rams appeared to come back out with a distinct angle within the second half.
Stafford accomplished a 17-yard move to Adams and a 36-yard move to Xavier Smith earlier than connecting with Allen for a 13-yard landing to provide the Rams the lead.
On the following possession, Rams defensive lineman Tyler Davis sacked C.J. Stroud for a 12-yard loss. On the following play, Durant intercepted a move to provide the Rams the ball at their 41-yard line.
The groups traded possessions, and the Rams obtained the ball with two minutes left within the third quarter.
Nacua’s 13-yard catch set the stage for a Adams’ 24-yard reception that moved the ball to the Texans’ 39. However Stafford was sacked twice, forcing the Rams to punt.
Ethan Evans’ kick pinned the Texans at their five-yard line, and the Rams obtained the ball once more.
Stafford’s six-yard move to Nacua put him over 60,000 profession passing yards, solely the tenth participant to attain the feat.
Passes to Adams and Nacua moved the Rams to the Texans’ 12. However Colby Parkinson fumbled after catching a brief move, giving the Texans one other alternative.
The Rams appeared to have stopped the Texans when Stroud’s third-down move fell incomplete. However a roughing-the-passer penalty towards lineman Kobie Turner stored alive the drive.
Stroud accomplished a move to Ogunbowale, however Landman punched out the ball for a fumble that Fiske recovered, ending the menace.
Stafford’s 24-yard move to Nacua within the remaining minute sealed the victory.
