Rams schedule thoughts: The Opening Quarter

Rams open the regular season hosting CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans

The Los Angeles Rams kickoff training camp later this month on July 24th. The regular season is just around the corner.

In the meantime, let’s take a deep dive into LA’s 2025 slate of games. We’ll break the overall schedule into natural chunks based on strength of opposition and key matchups:

Weeks 1-4, The Opening Quarter: Texans, Titans, Eagles, Colts

Weeks 5-8, Litmus Test Before the Bye: 49ers, Ravens, Jaguars

Weeks 9-13, Clash Against the NFC South: Saints, 49ers, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Panthers

Weeks 14-18, A Potentially Tough Close: Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks, Falcons, Cardinals

For now, we’ll focus on the first four games and I’ll link back to each post in the next installments.

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The Opening Quarter

Week 1 vs Houston Texans; Sunday, Sept 7th

There are certainly easier draws in the opening week than hosting CJ Stroud and the Texans.

While most fans believe that Stroud took a major step back in his second NFL campaign, the advanced analytics simply don’t bear out that idea. You can chalk up the sophomore slump to either good luck in his first season or turnover regression in 2024.

Advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (PFF). BTT’s are big-time throws. TWP’s are turnover-worthy plays.

Stroud, 2023:

Raw statistics – 64.0% completion, 26 TD’s, 5 INT’s

PFF metrics – 74.2% ADJ comp, 26 BTT’s (4.4%), 18 TWP’s (2.8%)

Stroud, 2024:

Raw statistics – 63.6% completion, 21 TD’s, 13 INT’s

PFF metrics – 72.2% ADJ comp, 27 BTT’s (4.3%), 21 TWP’s (2.8%)

In short, the consensus on Stroud was probably too optimistic coming out of his rookie season. He was fortunate from a turnover perspective. His NFL record of throwing 191 pass attempts without an interception to start his career is overblown and threw fuel on the fire. The regression was more noticeable because the Houston ecosystem took a step back in his second year, including an ineffective run game and poor pass protection. There were also significant injuries amongst the pass catching corps.

There’s plenty else about the Texans we can talk about. The main takeaway for now is to not discount Stroud because the media narratives aren’t as positive heading into 2025.

Week 2 at Tennessee Titans; Sunday, Sept 14th

It’s positive for LA to see rookie quarterback Cam Ward in only his second career game. Even if things go south against the Texans in Week 1, the Rams can almost bank on leaving Tennessee with a win under their belt.

The Titans have some impressive pieces, but overall this roster is still in pretty poor shape. At least you can give them credit for surrounding Ward with capable (albeit older) pass catchers in Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Chig Okonkwo, and Van Jefferson.

Other than the Saints later on this season, this should be as sure of a win as the Rams will see all year.

Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles; Sunday, Sept 21st

You’d much rather go into Philly 2-0 versus 1-1. Taking down the Eagles early in the year could really jumpstart the Rams, who have started slow in each of the last two seasons.

But beating Philadelphia will be easier said than done. This is still one of the most well-rounded rosters in all of football.

The defense will need to stop Saquon Barkley—something they didn’t do at all in two matchups a year ago. AJ Brown will be a major test for a Los Angeles secondary that looks weak on paper.

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

I’m not sure if the Eagles can manufacture the same pass rush off the EDGE that we’ve seen from them in recent years. Josh Sweat left in free agency to sign with the Arizona Cardinals and Brandon Graham retired. That leaves Philly with Nolan Smith—more of an undersized pass rush specialist than full-time EDGE—and Jalyx Hunt—a second year third round pick—starting outside the tackles.

This could be good news for the Rams if LT Alaric Jackson indeed misses time to start the season given his currently unknown status related to blood clots.

Week 4 vs Indianapolis Colts; Sunday, Sept 28th

The Colts are a talented, up-and-coming team that still has two major questions across its roster: quarterback and corner.

It’s not difficult to see Daniel Jones—if he wins the training camp battle over Anthony Richardson—having a career resurgence under a strong player caller like Shane Steichen. Jones and Richardson are close stylistic fits, and Jones rarely gets the credit he deserves as a productive runner.

The offensive line has been revamped in recent years and should be sturdy in front of whoever is playing quarterback. There is a diverse grouping of skillsets at receiver between Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Tyler Warren, Josh Downs, and AD Mitchell. Jones and Richardson probably aren’t good enough to lead the Colts to the playoffs, but their supporting cast is good enough for them to potentially turnaround their careers.

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

On the other side of the ball, it will be a tough for Indy to slow down Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Tutu Atwell given their corner group.

The Colts signed Charvarius Ward this offseason in free agency, but he hasn’t played up to his potential recently. Their other outside corners are 2023 second rounder JuJu Brents—who is big-bodied but largely been a disappointment—Jaylon Jones, and former Ram David Long. Perhaps their talented pass rush can offset some of the coverage struggles on the backend.

One storyline coming into this game is that this will be the first matchup between Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse. Latu was the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft at 15h overall. Verse was taken with pick 19 and went on to win the defensive rookie of the year. Will this be an opportunity for Verse to show out against the Colts and give them buyer’s remorse?