The Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans are set to clash in week three of the preseason NFL action on Saturday at NRG Stadium, with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. ET.
The Texans are favored by 6.5 points, and the total for the game is set at 34 points.
In this matchup, fans can expect to see a promising Houston team taking the field against a Rams squad known for its explosive offense. The Texans are coming off a successful 10-7 season, which included an AFC South division championship and an unexpected journey to the AFC Divisional round. Meanwhile, the Rams also finished with a 10-7 record, placing second in the NFC West, but faced an early postseason exit against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round.
Rams’ Quarterback Stetson Bennett Must Minimize Mistakes
The Los Angeles Rams are looking to establish themselves as a dominant offensive force in the upcoming 2024-25 season. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who racked up 3,965 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, is poised to lead a dynamic passing attack. Key contributors include standout wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who recorded 59 receptions for 737 yards and 105 receptions for 1,486 yards, respectively.
The Rams have made strategic moves to bolster their offensive line, signing left guard Jonah Jackson and re-signing right guard Kevin Dotson. Head coach Sean McVay is aiming for a more physical presence up front, which should enhance running lanes for running back Kyren Williams, who carried the ball 228 times for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, along with promising rookie Blake Corum.
However, the Rams’ defense faces a significant challenge in filling the void left by future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. They have added multiple pass rushers with their top draft picks, including edge rusher Jared Verse and tackle Branden Fiske from Florida State. This influx of talent joins last year’s standout rookie Kobie Turner and All-Rookie linebacker Byron Young. The offseason also saw the departure of safety Jordan Fuller and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, complicating the team’s defensive strategy.
As they prepare for the matchup on Saturday, all eyes will be on Stetson Bennett. The young quarterback has struggled with a 2:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the preseason, raising concerns due to his high turnover rate and a completion percentage of just 59.4%. Despite these issues, running back Boston Scott has shown promise, contributing 123 rushing yards at an impressive 4.9 yards per carry.
Injuries: G Jonah Jackson, DT Larrell Murchison, LB Brennan Jackson, OT Alaric Jackson, and G KT Leveston.
Houston Texans Aim for Continued Success in Preseason
The Houston Texans have shown significant progress since winning their division last season, largely thanks to quarterback C.J. Stroud’s impressive performance as a rookie. The Ohio State product passed for over 4,000 yards and recorded a 23:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, demonstrating remarkable poise and maturity that has sparked optimism among Texans fans.
This offseason, the Texans bolstered their offense by adding Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon, both of whom are expected to make substantial contributions. The existing talent pool includes third-year wide receiver Nico Collins, who had a productive season with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns.
Houston’s transition from the bottom of the standings to division champions is commendable, but the upcoming season presents its own set of challenges. With a schedule featuring five defending division champions and 11 teams with winning records from last season, the Texans have made strategic moves to strengthen their defense, signing 14 new players and retaining four others while drafting five more defenders.
In Saturday’s game, the Texans’ starters are not expected to take the field, leading to increased playing time for Tim Boyle and Case Keenum at quarterback. Last week, Boyle completed 10 of 15 passes for 94 yards, while Keenum went 7 for 13 with 73 yards and one touchdown. The receiving corps saw a strong performance from John Metchie III, who caught six passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, running backs J.J. Taylor, Cam Akers, and British Brooks contributed valuable yardage.
Injuries: DE Will Anderson Jr., FB Andrew Beck, QB Davis Mills, WR Noah Brown, TE Teagan Quitoriano, and OT David Sharpe.
When seeking insights for pro football picks, fans can find reliable NFL Predictions.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans
While Houston’s backups have demonstrated solid performances in the last two preseason games, a 6.5-point spread seems excessive for this matchup. The Texans managed to cover the spread against both the Giants and Steelers, but the Rams present a more formidable challenge than those teams.
Stetson Bennett’s recent performance has shown improvement, as he only turned the ball over once last week after a rough outing against the Cowboys. Rookie Jordan Whittington has emerged as a reliable target, catching 11 passes for 126 yards. Running backs Scott and Zach Evans have also proven difficult to tackle, enhancing the Rams’ ground game. The Rams’ defense had a strong showing last week against the Chargers, limiting them to 15 first downs and 259 total yards, showcasing effectiveness against both the run and pass.
While many analysts might recommend betting on Houston due to their quarterback stability, confidence in Bennett’s ability to perform well in this crucial game is high. The Texans are expected to secure a victory, but the Rams have enough depth to keep the contest competitive.
