At first glance, the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams may not seem very similar, but both teams reflect common challenges this season. Last year, both squads excelled, winning their divisions and a playoff game, with the Texans besting the Los Angeles Chargers and the Rams defeating the Minnesota Vikings. Both fell short in the Divisional round against the representatives from their conferences — the Texans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Rams to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Matchup Overview

Both teams share a middle-of-the-pack strength of schedule this season, ranking tied at 16th. However, a key difference arises at the quarterback position. The Rams’ veteran QB, Matthew Stafford, is recovering from a back problem discussed during the offseason, while C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ young star, is looking to improve after throwing 12 interceptions last year despite a strong overall record.

Game Details

Date: Sunday, Sept. 7
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
TV Channel: CBS
Stream: Paramount+
Odds: Rams -3, Over/Under 43.5 via DraftKings

Key Players to Watch

Matthew Stafford’s Health: If Stafford isn’t at full capacity, the Rams’ offense might struggle against a solid Texans defense.
Texans Defense: Leading into Sunday, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is anticipated to return after injury, bolstering the secondary significantly. Running Back Showdown: Look out for Nick Chubb of the Texans, entering his first season with them, against Kyren Williams from the Rams, who has enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons.

Prediction

Both teams feature established quarterbacks at different career stages. Expect a competitive game, with the Rams likely holding a slight advantage. Pick: Rams, Over 43.5.