It only took one half for Kyren Williams to make contract extension look cheap

The Los Angeles Rams hoped to start out hot in Week 1. But that never happened in the first half. Whether the play-calling leaned too conservatively to make use of all weapons, or the Houston Texans’ defense was simply prepared to stop the offensive stars, the team did not mount much offense. Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford appeared to be a pale shade of his former self.

It was a frustrating first half for fans who hoped to witness offensive fireworks. What they got instead was a defensive struggle, a contest of two formidable defenses imposing their wills. For the Rams defense, that meant keeping the Texans out of the end zone through the first two quarters.

For the offense, things only began to click thanks to the return of WR Puka Nacua and some strong running by RB Kyren Williams, who helped move the ball to first-and-goal from the Texans’ seven-yard line.

End of Q3
Houston Texans 9
Los Angeles Rams 14

Kyren Williams scores Rams' first 2025 touchdown

The drive started with a run by offensive weapon Jordan Whittington, who advanced the ball to the two-yard line. On second down, Williams powered forward for one more yard, setting up third-and-goal from the one. The team surprised everyone by calling a QB sneak, not exactly what anyone expected given Stafford’s recent back issues. Anyone, that is, except the Texans defense, which stuffed the play at the line.

On fourth-and-goal, the Rams called Williams’ number again. This time, he punched it into the end zone for the team’s first touchdown of 2025.

The featured back has been a prolific scorer in this offense. He rushed for 12 touchdowns in 2023 and followed that up with 14 in 2024. Now he’s opened 2025 with the first Rams touchdown of the year, reinforcing his reputation as a touchdown-scoring machine. And with Williams recently signing a multi-year extension, that deal is already looking like a steal.

Related: Rams make RB Kyren Williams' dreams come true with new multiyear extension

While the offense is still plagued by a lack of explosive plays from the backfield, Williams continues to excel at finding paydirt. The Rams activated RB Cody Schrader for Week 1 and sat rookie Jarquez Hunter. Yet through three quarters, Rams running backs had only 13 carries, 12 of them by Williams. So much for a committee approach in 2025, eh?

The offense is finally showing signs of life. The defense is beginning to take control. And through it all, the Rams can still count on their feature back to find the end zone.

As always, thanks for reading.

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