The Houston Texans head west to play the Los Angeles Rams in the final game of the late-afternoon window. Here are the storylines, picks, and best bets for the NFL Week 1 game between the Texans and Rams.
Texans vs. Rams: Game Information
Business trip back home 💼 pic.twitter.com/0LF2l2ilAp
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 4, 2025
- 🏈 Game: Texans vs. Rams
- 🕗 Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- 🏟 Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
- 📺 TV Channel: CBS
- 💻 Live Stream: Paramount+
Top Storyline: Matthew Stafford’s Back Injury
"Just trying to stack days."
🎙️ QB Matthew Stafford provides an update on practices pic.twitter.com/Fj9YPeInT3
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 21, 2025
It’s a big week for back injuries.
While Micah Parsons tries to rehab his injury, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will play with an aggravated disk in his back.
Stafford did not participate in team drills at the beginning of training camp. After suffering multiple setbacks, Stafford finally returned to practice near the end of August.
Entering his 17th season, Stafford is still at the top of his game when healthy. He was two plays away from taking the lead against the Philadelphia Eagles in last year’s Divisional Round game.
If the Rams want to reach their second Super Bowl in five seasons, they must do whatever it takes to keep Stafford on the field.
Texans vs. Rams: Picks and Best Bets
Rams -3 (-110)
Again, if Stafford is healthy, this Rams team is dangerous. The offense said goodbye to Cooper Kupp and replaced him with Davante Adams, who might end up being an upgrade.
The Rams still have multiple playmakers on offense in Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. Plus, the Rams’ defensive line, led by Jared Verse, should be one of the league’s top units.
As long as Sean McVay is the head coach, the Rams should be considered a threat in the NFC.
What version of C.J. Stroud will show up? Two seasons ago, Stroud had historic numbers as a rookie. Last year, Stroud regressed so much that the team fired its offensive coordinator.
Nico Collins is back, but Stefon Diggs is now in England, and Joe Mixon is hurt. Plus, the team rebuilt its offensive line after trading Laremy Tunsil.
The Texans’ defense should be nasty. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are a dynamic duo on the line, and Derek Stingley Jr. can shut down the opposing team’s top receiver.
McVay and Stafford rarely lose as favorites (30-9 SU). In a close defensive battle, I’ll side with the home team to pull out a 24-20 win.
Nick Chubb Anytime Touchdown (+175)
Someone has to run the ball for the Texans.
With Mixon out for the foreseeable future, Houston’s backfield consists of Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and Woody Marks.
Chubb is listed first on the Texans’ depth chart heading into Week 1.
Houston will certainly try to establish the run against a Rams defense that ranked 22nd against the run in 2024 (130.0 ypg). We’ll take a flier on Chubb to get the goal-line carries.
