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Texans' offense falls flat in season opener vs. Rams
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Happy Monday.
I know this isn’t how you hoped to start your week. Sunday’s season opener, in many ways, felt deflating for many Texans fans.
It didn’t quite feel like déjà vu, but the Houston Texans’ offense in their 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, felt eerily similar to the offense that often faltered in 2024.
The Texans kicked off the 2025 football season with a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley, a new system, a revamped offensive line, and several new weapons at receiver.
But the issues that plagued Houston in 2024 — poor offensive line play, unnecessary penalties and its inefficiency after crossing the 50-yard line — were once again a problem in the 2025 season opener.
The Texans failed to score a touchdown for the second time in two seasons. The last time they went an entire four quarters without reaching the end zone was the 31-2 Christmas Day debacle against the Baltimore Ravens last season.
The difference in this game compared to the one on Christmas was the Texans actually had a chance to win this one, trailing by five with two minutes remaining and the ball in C.J. Stroud’s hands.
That’s what they wanted.
But the Texans made far too many mistakes, including Dare Ogunbowale’s fourth-quarter fumble with 1:43 remaining, after they had reached the red zone for the first time all game.
The Texans are now 0-1 and have some ground to make up. They must fix the unnecessary penalties. But it’s also Week 1 and more than enough time to figure out those improvements.
Read the rest of my analysis here.
 | Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter |