Nate Landman punched in as a Ram on Sunday.
And the group’s new linebacker and group captain punched out the Houston Texans.
With the Texans threatening to attain within the closing minutes of the opener, Landman confirmed an artisan’s contact by separating the ball from a Texan working again’s grip and forcing a fumble that was recovered by lineman Braden Fiske.
The play all however sealed the Rams’ 14-9 season-opening victory earlier than 71,346 at SoFi Stadium.
“It means a lot,” mentioned Landman, who performed three seasons for the Atlanta Falcons earlier than signing a one-year contract with the Rams. “You’re employed, you’re employed, you’re employed, for that second to occur there, and for that second to come back to fruition and expose itself is actually nice.”
Landman was one in all a number of key gamers for a protection that restricted the Texans to 3 subject objectives.
Cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted a cross, edge rusher Byron Younger, lineman Tyler Davis and security Jaylen McCollough recorded sacks and Fiske made a spectacular play to get well Dare Ogunbowale’s fumble after Landman punched it out.
These efforts made it simpler for an offense that can want some fine-tuning to reside as much as its hype.
“Landman making that punch out was so cool,” quarterback Matthew Stafford mentioned.
1. Rams tight end Davis Allen (87) celebrates with teammates after making a touchdown catch. 2. Rams safety Jaylen McCollough celebrates during the first half. 3. Rams running back Kyren Williams tries to evade Houston Texans defenders. 4. Quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates the Rams’ win. 5. Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. pushes Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington out of bounds in the second quarter. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford, in his 17th NFL season, did not commit a turnover while etching his name deeper into the NFL record book. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown, and became only the 10th player to pass for more than 60,000 yards.
After sitting out all of training camp and several weeks of preseason practices because of a back issue, his ability to start and finish the game was a victory unto itself.
Receiver Puka Nacua also showed characteristic grit and toughness. Despite suffering an injury that required stitches in his head, Nacua caught 10 passes for 130 yards. Receiver Davante Adams caught four passes for 51 yards in his Rams debut.
Running back Kyren Williams rushed for a touchdown and tight end Davis Allen caught a touchdown pass as the Rams improved to 7-2 in openers under ninth-year coach Sean McVay.
“Our guys found a way,” McVay said of his team’s overall effort, “and that’s what it’s about.”
Sunday’s game marked the start of the Rams’ 10th season in Los Angeles since returning from St. Louis.
And the defense’s performance, save for an untimely penalty or two, rated a near 10.
Rams coach Sean McVay shares a hand slap with wide receiver Puka Nacua during the Rams’ season-opening win.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Rams’ offense managed only Williams’ touchdown in the first half. Meanwhile, Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked three field goals to give the Texans a 9-7 lead.
But the Rams appeared to come out with a different attitude in the second half.
Stafford’s passes to Adams and Xavier Smith set up Allen’s touchdown catch that gave the Rams the lead, and they appeared on their way to increasing their advantage when they drove to the Texans’ 12-yard line with just over four minutes left.
But tight end Colby Parkinson fumbled after a short reception, putting the onus on the Rams defense.
When quarterback C.J. Stroud’s third-down pass fell incomplete, the Rams looked like they were on the verge of victory. But a roughing-the-passer penalty against lineman Kobie Turner kept the drive alive.
Stroud completed a pass to Ogunbowale, and on the next play they connected for another. But this time Landman punched the ball out of Ogunbowale’s grip.
McVay was not surprised.
Landman, who forced three fumbles in each of the previous two seasons, has had more punchouts in practice than any other player,” McVay said.
“He has just a great feel for it,” McVay said, “so he’s intentional, and I think it’s rubbed off on the rest of the group. And he got it at a critical time. You talk about competitive greatness — that was on display.”
Stafford’s 24-yard pass to Nacua in the final minute sealed the victory.
“That’s complementary football, right?” Stafford said. “That’s, ‘Hey, we make a mistake, defense comes out and makes a play for us. Hey, you know what, we aren’t going to put you back out on the field defense, we’re going to close this thing out taking a knee.’
“Those are things you can build on.”
The Rams play the Tennessee Titans and the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles on the road the next two weeks.
“The sky’s the limit for this defense,” Landman said. “You see the guys we have up front, the pressure we’re able to create on the quarterback.
“And you pair that with the coverage behind it — it’s a lot to look forward to this year.”
