Texans vs Rams – Week 1 Fantasy Football Preview
C.J. Stroud opens Year 3 with a retooled offense but a shaky O-line, while Matthew Stafford manages back issues and the Rams lean on Kyren Williams.
Line: Rams -2.5 | Total: 44.5
Vegas leans toward the Rams in what looks like a physical, mid-total matchup. The Texans will turn to Nick Chubb after Joe Mixon’s injury landed him on NFI list to start the year, though questions linger about his post-injury efficiency. Dameon Pierce and Woody Marks sit behind him, but neither has more than bench-level value for now. For the Rams, Stafford enters the season banged up with back concerns, and Kyren Williams’ workload is a storyline after his new extension and chatter about usage limits.
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud, Texans – Draws a Rams defense that was beatable against QBs in 2024. Behind a shaky offensive line, Stroud still projects as a mid QB2 thanks to his weaponry.
Matthew Stafford, Rams – Houston is middle of the pack against quarterbacks, but Stafford’s offseason back issues make him riskier. He’s a floor-based QB2 only for Week 1.
Wide Receivers
Nico Collins, Texans – Faces a Rams defense that struggled on the perimeter. Collins is a steady WR1 with room for more.
Jayden Higgins, Texans – Rookie with an opportunity to carve a role. More of a deep flex for now.
Christian Kirk, Texans – Slot usage gives him a path to volume against LAR’s softer inside coverage. He’s a flex play at best in PPR.
Puka Nacua, Rams – Should benefit if Houston shades Adams. He profiles as a WR1 with high-volume potential.
Davante Adams, Rams – Even in a tougher draw, Adams could be the alpha target. He’s a low-end WR1 in Week 1.
Running Backs
Nick Chubb, Texans – Inherits the backfield after Mixon’s injury, but questions remain after inefficiency in his 2024 return. Still, workload makes him a low-end RB3/flex with risk.
Dameon Pierce, Texans – Likely next in line for touches; carries bench stash / deep flex appeal.
Woody Marks, Texans – Behind Pierce for now, holding only bench depth value.
Kyren Williams, Rams – Houston’s front isn’t an easy draw, but Williams is locked for touches despite workload management chatter. He enters as a low-end RB1.