Rams Stomp Texans In Upset, Win 38-13

Nobody gave the Rams a chance to beat the Texans, not even Rams fans gave the Rams a chance. The Texans were 9.5 point favorites and ESPN’s numberFire gave the Texans a 70.2% chance of winning. This was supposed to be a game where the Texans got back to playing the football everybody was used to and get a much needed win at home.

That was never the case however as the Rams blew out the Texans on the road 38-13. The Rams defense came up big, forcing three turnovers that turned into 10 points for Sam Bradford and the offense. Bradford played more of a smart game today only going 12/16 for 117 yards, but threw three touchdown passes and more importantly didnt turn the ball over.

Zac Stacy continued where he left off last week rushing for 79 yards off of 18 carries. This new run game that the Rams have found with Stacy has certainly helped out what was a struggling offense and offensive line. The O-line stepped up today and didnt allow a sack for the third time this season.

The Rams first drive of the game had to give Rams fans that ‘here we go again’ feeling, as the Rams offense went three and out to start the game. On the second drive, Bradford lead the offense on a 65 yard touchdown drive which was set up by a 40 yard pass interference penalty. to put the Rams up 7-0.

Robert Quinn then made the first of many big plays on defense by forcing a fumble which was recovered by James Laurninaitis to give the Rams offense great field position and set up a Greg Zuerlein field goal.

After a Texans field goal, Sam Bradford once again lead the Rams down the field and took advantage of penalties on the Texans to put the Rams up 17-3 with a touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks.

The Rams defense got off the field quickly to start off the second half and the offense got back right where they left off, extending the lead with Bradford’s third touchdown pass, this time to Brian Quick to put the Rams up 24-6. The Rams offense would not score another touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rodney McLeod forced  fumble which was recovered by Daren Bates, who took it the distance and put the Rams up 31-6. After a Matt Schaub injury and Texans fans cheers, T.J. Yates entered the game only to lead the team to the red zone and throw an interception which was taken all the way back by Alec Ogletree.

Yates would throw another interception in the red zone to Janoris Jenkins, but would finally lead the Texans in the end zone with a Ben Tate touchdown run.

The Rams offense was out gained 420-216, but defensive turnovers and big drives with the help of Texan penalties helped give the Rams the win today. Sam Bradford found nine different receivers and only three of those receivers and more than one catch.

The Rams defense showed flashes of the potential they showed last season by forcing three turnovers and getting to the quarterback five different time. They may have allowed a lot of yards on the ground once again, but when it came to the yards that mattered in scoring range the defense stepped up and made plays.

Michael Brockers, Trumaine Johnso all lead the team in tackles with seven each, Brockers also lead the team in sacks with two. The defense also had success in the pass game only allowing Schaub to throw for 186 yards, but they did allow Foster to run for 141 yards.

Rams fans didnt have a lot of confidence coming into this game, but a win like this will go a long ways. Winning on the road against a tough team like the Texans, who have been 14-7 at home the last two seasons, is not an easy task, and for a young team like the Rams to do it, shows a lot of maturity.

The Rams may have won big, but that doesnt mean it was perfect. The Rams still allowed 140 yards on the ground and got a little sloppy with the penalties late, The Rams will have to fix those things especially in the run game, in preparation for next week.

This team certainly has shown a lot of toughness these past two weeks when everybody had counted them out, and you have to believe they will come in with their backs against the wall once again against the Panthers.

The Rams are now 3-3 and they will now have to go to Carolina to play a Panthers team that beat the Vikings 35-10 in Minnesota. It’s never easy to win two straight road games in the NFL, but the Rams will have to do just that to get above .500.