After a month of the 2016 season, their first in Los Angeles in decades, the Los Angeles Rams were 3-1 with one of the most physically gifted rosters in the NFL. However, the season started going off the rails with four straight losses after that start. A win over the Jets on November 13th delayed the inevitable as the Rams lost seven straight to end the season. That seven game slide was the final nail in former coach Jeff Fisher's coaching coffin as the Rams wondered where to look next.
Enter Sean McVay, a 31-year old offensive wunderkind who has transformed this franchise into one of the best in the NFL in less than a year. He hired Wade Phillips to take over the defense. McVay gave second year, former number one overall pick Jared Goff a blueprint to follow to become one of the best young gunslingers in the NFL. He brought Todd Gurley back to life. He lit a fire under an athletic team that had been sleepwalking through previous seasons.
Case in point, after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home on October 8th, the Rams did the following…
Traveled to Jacksonville, beat the Jaguars, AFC South leader Traveled to London and shutout the Cardinals 33-0 Traveled to New York after the bye week and beat the Giants 51-17
This will be the Rams first home game in over a month. A group that left Los Angeles for Jacksonville back in October wondering what kind of team it had is now returning to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Texans KNOWING how good it actually is and will be for a while. That's what McVay has done in LA. The good news for the Texans is that the Rams have only won once in the Coliseum in three tries this season. So, here's hoping for more of the same on Sunday.
Let's take a look at the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams.
2017 TEAM RECORD
6-2 (2-1 in the NFC West)
W, 46-9 Indianapolis Colts
L, 27-20 Washington Redskins
W, 41-39 San Francisco 49ers
W, 35-30 Dallas Cowboys
L, 16-10 Seattle Seahawks
W, 27-17 Jacksonville Jaguars
W, 33-0 Arizona Cardinals
W, 51-17 New York Giants
OFFENSE
2017 Team Profile (8 games)
Rush offense - 131.9 ypg (5th in the league) Passing offense - 250.2 ypg (10th) Total offense - 382.1 ypg (3rd) Scoring - 32.9 ppg (1st) 3rd Down Percentage conversion - 49.1% (1st) Giveaways - 12 - 4 INT and 8 Fumbles (T14th in most giveaways in NFL)
This is the Rams projected starting lineup for Sunday against the Texans WR - Robert Woods WR - Cooper Kupp WR - Sammy Watkins TE - Tyler Higbee LT - Andrew Whitworth LG - Rodger Saffold C - John Sullivan RG - Jamon Brown RT - Rob Havenstein QB - Jared Goff RB - Todd Gurley
Key Offensive non-starters
WR - Tavon Austin
TE - Gerald Everett
WR/KR - Pharoh Cooper
What's the biggest concern for the TEXANS defense facing the LOS ANGELES offense?
Uh, everything? Quarterback Jared Goff hasn't just taken A step in the right direction, he has taken MULTIPLE strides to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. He has plenty of help though with Todd Gurley moving back into his rightful spot as one of the three best running backs in the NFL. The Rams have a varied skill set of receivers, including Sammy Watkins who had one of the best games of his career against the Texans when he was with the Buffalo Bills in 2015.
There are two keys, though, to the Rams offensive output in 2017. One is the diversity in the offensive game plan and the other is the play of the offensive line. That quintet isn't well known, but the addition of Andrew Whitworth was a major one during the offseason. He's been worth every dime and that unit has come together relatively seamlessly.
What's the biggest concern for the RAMS offense facing the HOUSTON defense?
Again, it's to occupy Texans star defensive weapon Jadeveon Clowney. He's shown moments of completely wrecking the game throughout the past two seasons and he'll move around the defense to force the Rams to have to account for him in a different spot on every play.
Offensive X-Factor
Left Tackle Andrew Whitworth - when he signed with the Rams, I thought it was a good signing, although the former Bengal stalwart turned 35 near the end of the 2016 season. I wasn't completely right; it's been an outstanding signing for this Rams offensive line, a unit that has yielded only ten sacks in eight games.
DEFENSE
2017 Team Profile (8 games)
Rush defense - 121.6 ypg (26th in the league) Passing defense - 205.4 ypg (9th) Total defense - 327.0 ypg (16th) Scoring Allowed - 19.4 ppg (9th) 3rd Down Percentage conversion allowed - 38.3% (14th best) Takeaways - 15 - 10 INT, 5 Recoveries (7th most takeaways in NFL)
This is the Rams projected starting lineup for Sunday against the Texans OLB - Robert Quinn DE - Michael Brockers NT - Tanzel Smart DE - Aaron Donald ILB - Alec Ogletree ILB - Mark Barron OLB - Connor Barwin CB - Trumaine Johnson S - Josh Johnson S - Lamarcus Joyner CB - Kayvon Webster
Key Defensive non-starters
CB - Nickell Robey-Coleman
OLB - Matt Longacre
What's the biggest concern for the RAMS defense facing the HOUSTON offense?
Can the Rams cornerbacks handle the Texans receivers one-on-one? If the Texans can have success running the ball against the Rams 26th ranked run defense, the safeties will be forced to come into the box and assist in that realm. That leaves the Rams cornerbacks on an island with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. The run game can really set up the pass game this weekend.
What's the biggest concern for the TEXANS offense facing this LOS ANGELES defense?
Aaron. Donald. The Texans have faced their share of potential game wreckers the past few years, but they've all been edge players - Justin Houston (Chiefs), Khalil Mack (Raiders), Von Miller (Broncos). But, they now get a taste of their own medicine with the way that Donald can create issues in the middle of the defense. His get off is unreal and he's a powerful keg of dynamite at 6-0, 295 lb. Doubling him is a must, but to do that on an interior player isn't as easy as it sounds.
Defensive X-Factor
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson - he might be the second best defensive player on the Rams roster. He's long, physical and fast, so he'll present a multitude of issues for the Texans receivers.
After a month of the 2016 season, their first in Los Angeles in decades, the Los Angeles Rams were 3-1 with one of the most physically gifted rosters in the NFL. However, the season started going off the rails with four straight losses after that start. A win over the Jets on November 13th delayed the inevitable as the Rams lost seven straight to end the season. That seven game slide was the final nail in former coach Jeff Fisher's coaching coffin as the Rams wondered where to look next.
Enter Sean McVay, a 31-year old offensive wunderkind who has transformed this franchise into one of the best in the NFL in less than a year. He hired Wade Phillips to take over the defense. McVay gave second year, former number one overall pick Jared Goff a blueprint to follow to become one of the best young gunslingers in the NFL. He brought Todd Gurley back to life. He lit a fire under an athletic team that had been sleepwalking through previous seasons.
Case in point, after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home on October 8th, the Rams did the following…
Traveled to Jacksonville, beat the Jaguars, AFC South leader Traveled to London and shutout the Cardinals 33-0 Traveled to New York after the bye week and beat the Giants 51-17.
This will be the Rams first home game in over a month. A group that left Los Angeles for Jacksonville back in October wondering what kind of team it had is now returning to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Texans KNOWING how good it actually is and will be for a while. That's what McVay has done in LA. The good news for the Texans is that the Rams have only won once in the Coliseum in three tries this season. So, here's hoping for more of the same on Sunday.
Let's take a look at the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams.
2017 TEAM RECORD
6-2 (2-1 in the NFC West)
W, 46-9 Indianapolis Colts
L, 27-20 Washington Redskins
W, 41-39 San Francisco 49ers
W, 35-30 Dallas Cowboys
L, 16-10 Seattle Seahawks
W, 27-17 Jacksonville Jaguars
W, 33-0 Arizona Cardinals
W, 51-17 New York Giants
OFFENSE
2017 Team Profile (8 games)
Rush offense - 131.9 ypg (5th in the league)
Passing offense - 250.2 ypg (10th)
Total offense - 382.1 ypg (3rd)
Scoring - 32.9 ppg (1st)
3rd Down Percentage conversion - 49.1% (1st)
Giveaways - 12 - 4 INT and 8 Fumbles (T14th in most giveaways in NFL)
This is the Rams projected starting lineup for Sunday against the Texans:
WR - Robert Woods
WR - Cooper Kupp
WR - Sammy Watkins
TE - Tyler Higbee
LT - Andrew Whitworth
LG - Rodger Saffold
C - John Sullivan
RG - Jamon Brown
RT - Rob Havenstein
QB - Jared Goff
RB - Todd Gurley
Key Offensive non-starters
WR - Tavon Austin
TE - Gerald Everett
WR/KR - Pharoh Cooper
What's the biggest concern for the TEXANS defense facing the LOS ANGELES offense?
Uh, everything? Quarterback Jared Goff hasn't just taken A step in the right direction, he has taken MULTIPLE strides to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. He has plenty of help though with Todd Gurley moving back into his rightful spot as one of the three best running backs in the NFL. The Rams have a varied skill set of receivers, including Sammy Watkins who had one of the best games of his career against the Texans when he was with the Buffalo Bills in 2015.
There are two keys, though, to the Rams offensive output in 2017. One is the diversity in the offensive game plan and the other is the play of the offensive line. That quintet isn't well known, but the addition of Andrew Whitworth was a major one during the offseason. He's been worth every dime and that unit has come together relatively seamlessly.
What's the biggest concern for the RAMS offense facing the HOUSTON defense?
Again, it's to occupy Texans star defensive weapon Jadeveon Clowney. He's shown moments of completely wrecking the game throughout the past two seasons and he'll move around the defense to force the Rams to have to account for him in a different spot on every play.
Offensive X-Factor
Left Tackle Andrew Whitworth - when he signed with the Rams, I thought it was a good signing, although the former Bengal stalwart turned 35 near the end of the 2016 season. I wasn't completely right; it's been an outstanding signing for this Rams offensive line, a unit that has yielded only ten sacks in eight games.
DEFENSE
2017 Team Profile (8 games)
Rush defense - 121.6 ypg (26th in the league)
Passing defense - 205.4 ypg (9th)
Total defense - 327.0 ypg (16th)
Scoring Allowed - 19.4 ppg (9th)
3rd Down Percentage conversion allowed - 38.3% (14th best)
Takeaways - 15 - 10 INT
5 Recoveries (7th most takeaways in NFL)
This is the Rams projected starting lineup for Sunday against the Texans:
OLB - Robert Quinn
DE - Michael Brockers
NT - Tanzel Smart
DE - Aaron Donald
ILB - Alec Ogletree
ILB - Mark Barron
OLB - Connor Barwin
CB - Trumaine Johnson
S - Josh Johnson
S - Lamarcus Joyner
CB - Kayvon Webster
Key Defensive non-starters
CB - Nickell Robey-Coleman
OLB - Matt Longacre
What's the biggest concern for the RAMS defense facing the HOUSTON offense?
Can the Rams cornerbacks handle the Texans receivers one-on-one? If the Texans can have success running the ball against the Rams 26th ranked run defense, the safeties will be forced to come into the box and assist in that realm. That leaves the Rams cornerbacks on an island with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. The run game can really set up the pass game this weekend.
What's the biggest concern for the TEXANS offense facing this LOS ANGELES defense?
Aaron. Donald. The Texans have faced their share of potential game wreckers the past few years, but they've all been edge players - Justin Houston (Chiefs), Khalil Mack (Raiders), Von Miller (Broncos). But, they now get a taste of their own medicine with the way that Donald can create issues in the middle of the defense. His get off is unreal and he's a powerful keg of dynamite at 6-0, 295 lb. Doubling him is a must, but to do that on an interior player isn't as easy as it sounds.
Defensive X-Factor
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson - he might be the second best defensive player on the Rams roster. He's long, physical and fast, so he'll present a multitude of issues for the Texans receivers.
