Battle Red Blog
We’re back, Texans fans! After what seemed like a journey through the sports wilderness since the Super Bowl last February, we’ve finally arrived to week 1! The storylines wrote themselves this week, as the Texans came into SoFi Stadium to face the Rams and make an early statement to being their new campaign.
C.J. Stroud made his first start in his home state, facing off against veteran gun-slinger Matthew Stafford. The story of this game would be, how will the Texans respond with a number of key players out for their week 1 matchup? On the Rams side, Stafford has been nursing a back issue that had limited his football activities leading up to today.
Regardless, we had some ball to play today, Houston. It’s good to be back!
First Quarter:
Texans score first on 4th & 7 from the Rams 33 yard line. (3-0)
With 1:20 left in the 1st, Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a 51 yarder after 13 plays to give the Texans their first score of the season. Texans lead 3-0.
Second Quarter
Texans score again and increase their lead. (6-0)
Another double digit drive aided the Texans in getting within field goal range again. After starting at the 46 of the Rams, they went 10 plays and 19 yards to set up Ka’imi for the three point score. This made it 6-0.
Rams responded with an 11 play scoring drive of their own. (7-6)
Starting at their 35, they went 65 yards and found the endzone on RB Kyren Williams’ run over left tackle. Josh Karty’s extra point made it 7-6 Rams. This left about 57 seconds on the clock for Stroud and the offense to work with to close the half.
Texans retake the lead on Fairbairn’s leg. (9-7)
After an eight play drive that started on their own 23, Fairbairn kicked another field goal to retake the lead 9-7.
Third Quarter
Rams begin the 3rd Quarter with a touchdown drive. (14-9)
Going eight plays and 63 yards, the Rams scored on a 13-yard Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to TE Davis Allen. The key play on the drive was a 36 yard deep ball to WR Xavier Smith.
Stroud throws his first INT of the season
On a deep pass intended for WR Jayden Higgins, Rams CB Cobie Durant took it out of his hands for a suspect interception. It was suspect because, upon replay it definitely appeared as though the ball hit the turf as Durant crashed to the ground. But, the referees thought otherwise.
Fourth Quarter
Clutch fumble gives Texans one last chance for the comeback (1st & 10 at Texans 12)
With about 4:17 left in the quarter, Matthew Stafford threw what was initially called an incomplete pass to WR Colby Parkinson after a brutal hit by LB Azeez A-Shaair popped the ball loose. Upon review, it was determined that Parkinson had possession, thus the Texans got the ball with four minutes left.
***Rams cause a fumble to retake possession and close out...
