After an entertaining opening win over the Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams are preparing to host the Houston Texans in Week 2. Last week marked the Rams’ first preseason win in three years, but since the beginning of the Sean McVay regime in 2017, LA has won, beating the Texans in their previous two encounters.
Can the Rams build on the alliance between Bryce Perkins and Lance McCutcheon and introduce a broader offense? And will the defense put on a strong performance for the second year in a row? Rams fans should expect more like last week’s win. LA’s starters and key reserves sat the game, over 40 by my count, and nothing was to change.
New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is known for his zeal in establishing the running game, and the Rams had 35 rush attempts against the Bolts. Both the offensive line and running back units still need some shaking out, so ground play should be front and center. LA fielded many O-Line touchups as well as four running backs, and there’s no reason to expect anything new this Friday.
The defense gave up a total of 312 yards, 88 of which came on three big plays. The runner-up played his usual soft zone but came down strong and tackled well to limit yards from the catch. The roster bubble linebackers were aggressive and flying for the ball, with Jake Hummel, Anthony Hines and Jake Gervase recording 19 tackles among them. The unannounced edges were the biggest surprise, all the rookies had good reps.
In their first game, the Texans earned a last-minute 17-13 win over the New Orleans Saints. Third-string quarterback Jeff Driskell threw a scoring pass to wide receiver Johnny Johnson with 30 seconds left to steal the win. Driskell played most of the time and took over from Houston starter Davis Mills after two series. Second row QB Kyle Allen missed the game due to COVID. He’s back in training this week and anticipates action against the Rams.
Opposing QBs, Perkins and Driskell are quite similar.
Both are:
- Athletically gifted, with good speed, light feet and open field running ability. Blessed with this innate ability to move a team with his feet.
- Cut long and lean with pro size and strength.
- Probably best suited to a systematic short/medium range passing scheme, although they have adequate arm strength.
- Your teams third QB option and on the roster bubble.
Both defenses could spend a long evening chasing those elusive playmakers. The Rams’ young linebackers are tested against a mobile QB after a solid first week.
Date: Friday 19 August 2022
Kicking off: 7pm PST
Location: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca.
Watch: LA Local Station ABC7Spanish broadcast on Estrella TV (KCRA)and affiliated companies, including KFMB (San Diego), KQCA (Sacramento), KSEE (Fresno), KBAK (Bakerfield), KSBW (Monterey), KTVX (Salt Lake City) and KGMB (Honolulu).
Live broadcast: The official app of LA Rams, NFL Plus, Hulu Live, fubo TV, Sling TV, Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM (formerly known as AT&T TV) and many others.
Listen: ESPN LA 710 p.m., 93.1 Jack FM, Tu Liga 1330 p.m
Current betting odds: according to DraftKings Sportsbook
Line: Aries +3 -110
Over/Under Total: 38.5
money line: Aries +140 / Texans -165
