The Los Angeles Rams finished in the win column over the Houston Texans in their 2025 season opener. They defeated Houston and CJ Stroud 14-9.
These are the Pro Football Focus (PFF) snap counts, grades, and advanced metrics that explain how LA was able to takedown the Texans.
Top five grades on offense:
WR Xavier Smith drew the top offensive grade at 95.1. He played only a single snap and caught a 36-yard pass from Stafford. I only include players in this list who play more than five snaps.
1 – Matthew Stafford, QB: 92.9
Stafford’s health was a major question
coming into this game. Despite LA finishing with a 33.3 team grade in pass blocking and the veteran being under consistent pressure, he turned in an “elite” performance and managed the Rams to a win.
Stafford tossed five big-time throws—more than any individual game from last season—without a single turnover-worthy play. Receivers were credited with three drops, bolstering his adjusted completion percentage to 88.9%.
More concerning is the fact that Stafford was pressured 13 times (41%) and sacked on three occasions. Stafford seemed to throw the ball away or take sacks with pressure in his face, though he was more aggressive late in the game with the outcome hanging in the balance. The Rams must protect their quarterback better if they are going to keep him healthy this offseason. A string of injuries along the interior offensive line on Sunday didn’t help matters.
2 – Puka Nacua, WR: 91.6
Nacua was the focal point of the Rams’ offense in the first half, accounting for 60% of their total production. He sealed the game with a 20-yard catch and run that allowed LA to run out the remainder of the clock. Nacua finished with 10 receptions on 11 targets for 130 yards. 47 of those yards came after the catch point.
3 – Kevin Dotson, RG: 75.4
The highest pass blocking grade for the Rams goes to Dotson. He played only 45 of 60 snaps after leaving with an injury. The veteran did not return, and his health is in question heading into Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.
4 – Beaux Limmer, iOL: 70.7
Limmer filled in first for Steve Avila at left guard until he returned. The second-year lineman then moved to the right side to fill in for Dotson.
Limmer earned a near-elite grade in the run game at 89.9; however, he struggled mightily in pass protection with a mark of 27.6. He allowed two pressures and was flagged for one penalty. Limmer played 44 snaps with 29 coming on the left side and the other 15 on the right.
5 – Steve Avila, LG: 69.7
Avila played 31 snaps and overall missed more time than Dotson. His performance was equally balanced in the run and pass games. The third-year guard did not allow a single pressure in pass protection.
Other notes on offense:
Colby Parkinson—who almost cost the Rams the game with a fourth-quarter fumble—earned the second-lowest grade on offense just ahead of Davis Allen(42.7) and right behind Tyler Higbee (46.3). The Rams’ struggles at the tight end position from last season seem to be carrying into 2025.
To his credit, Parkinson graded positively as a blocker in both the run and pass with marks of 70.0 and 72.4, respectively. He was kept in as a blocker on three passing plays.
Rookie TE Terrance Ferguson did not play on offense.
Top five grades on defense:
1 – Nate Landman, MLB: 90.7
Where to start with Landman, who was all over the field? His forced fumble in the game’s final moments was imperative to the end result.
The veteran linebacker finished with six run stops which led the team. Most impressive was his coverage grade of 90.8. Landman was targeted as the nearest defender on two plays, allowing just one reception for 8 yards with 11 coming after the catch (screen play). If Landman can continue this level of performance—especially in coverage—he’ll be in store for a Zack Baun type of career turnaround this year.
2 – Jared Verse, ED: 90.6
Verse’s presence wasn’t felt in live action as much as Byron Young’s; however, the PFF data says he was winning with consistency and was a dominant force versus Houston. Verse finished with only a single run stop, though he led the Rams in pressures with four.
3 – Cobie Durant, CB: 87.7
The Rams started Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Forbes at corner. Veteran Darious Williams did not play a defensive snap. Durant only played 25 snaps (all outside) with 19 coming against the pass, so it seems the Rams intend to only play Durant in obvious passing situations. This makes sense given Durant’s struggles as a tackler. He finished with a PFF coverage grade of 89.1. On the four plays in which he was targeted, he allowed three receptions for 33 yards and came away with an interception. That is good for a passer rating of just 59.4 when he was the nearest defender.
4 – Byron Young, ED: 78.5
Young finished behind Verse with three pressures. Omar Speights, Kobie Turner, Quentin Lake, and Poona Ford each had two a piece. Young was a stout in the run game as I can remember from him, and he finished behind Landman with five stops.
This was a well-rounded outing from the third-year EDGE, who may be coming into his own.
5 – Kamren Kinchens, DB: 66.4
While Kinchens was fifth on the defense in grading, this wasn’t a particularly strong game from him. A grade in the high 60’s means he was simply playing above average. The second-year safety missed one tackle and in coverage allowed three receptions on four targets for 38 yards. He was credited with a pass breakup, which was likely the near-interception (ruled on the field as such) that was negated by a penalty on Turner.
Other notes on defense:
Quentin Lake struggled immensely in this game. He earned a grade of 39.3, which was the lowest mark on defense. Lake missed two of four tackle opportunities and only drew two pressures on five blitzes.
Of the three outside corners that played, Forbes graded 16th of 18th on defense. He missed two tackles on five attempts. This is a concern given his slight frame. Forbes also drew a 29.1 grade in run defense.
On the other hand, Ahkello Witherspoon ranked sixth on the defense behind Kinchens. He missed one of five attempts as a tackler and earned a solid 70.0 coverage grade (third on the team behind Landman and Durant).
