Houston Texans Lose 14-9 to Rams, Suffer Seventh Consecutive Road Defeat

The Houston Texans opened their season with a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, struggling particularly on offense. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud faced heavy pressure behind an offensive line with four new starters, resulting in multiple sacks and a failure to score in the second half. Despite some solid defensive play that kept the game close, costly turnovers, including a critical fumble by running back Dare Ogunbowale late in the game, prevented the Texans from winning. The team also suffered from penalties, especially on the road, with 11 flags for 80 yards hindering their momentum. Texans' coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the need to protect the football and make adjustments when opponents focus on key players like receiver Nico Collins, who was limited by the Rams' defense. New offensive coordinator Nick Caley has 16 more games to demonstrate improved adaptability following a performance that showed many familiar struggles.