Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans: Report card grades out a tale of two halves

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff was able to set a career high with 355-passing yards. He threw for three touchdowns with no turnovers. Goff was decisive for the most part and outside of some rough play calling in the first half, Goff was looking to push the ball downfield, and did so with effectiveness. A gorgeous throw to Robert Woods on a post that went for a 94-yard touchdown blew the game wide open.

Running Backs

There wasn’t much space at all for the running game, but Gurley ran with power and looked to churn for more yardage routinely. He also had a beautiful zone run where he made one cut and busted through the hole with a crazy second gear, nearly out-running the entire defense for a huge TD. It was a 34-yard gain, his longest of the day. Lance Dunbar also got some work in the fourth quarter, and looked to be a fit as a zone scheme runner.

Wide Receivers

Is there anything that needs to be said here? Robert Woods had a career day with a 8-171-2 line (and a 94-yard TD). He was open all day, and his YPC was soaring through the roof. Gurley chipped in with 68-yards receiving, and Kupp with 47-yards. Also, it was great to see Sammy Watkins get some involvement late in the game with two targets (which were both caught for a 2-41-1 line). All in all, an absolutely incredible day for the entire receiving corps.

Tight Ends

The only registered TE stats on the day were two catches for 22-yards from Tyler Higbee. With the run game struggling too, the TE’s didn’t have their best day. Specifically on a pass block where Jadeveon Clowney destroyed Higbee for a big sack.

Offensive Line

The OL didn’t have the greatest day in the run blocking department, as half of Todd Gurley’s yards came from one run. Jared Goff was also sacked three times in the game. In the first half the OL struggled in pass pro, though things improved by a wide margin in the second half.

Defensive Line

Aaron Donald once again registered a strip-sack, making it a sack in four straight games. Michael Brockers also chipped in with a sack. Lastly, the Texans only averaged 3.6 YPC rushing the ball, so the defensive line had quite a great day.

Linebackers

This grade could have been through the roof had Alec Ogletree’s pick-six stood, but it was wiped out due to a hold, which happened to be on Tree. Mark Barron had a crucial INT when the Rams were backed up into their own redzone. Last but not least, the rookie OLB Samson Ebukam had an untouched sack-fumble himself.

Defensive Backs

Tom Savage threw for 221-yards. John Johnson got toasted on the Texans lone TD. De’Andre Hopkins routinely troubled whichever DB was lined up across from him, which is fine because he’s an elite receiver. NRC had a PI that led to a drive extending penalty. The lone bright spot was Lamarcus Joyner, who had multiple big hits (though was also shaken up multiple times).

Special Teams

Johnny Hekker averaged 51.3-yards per punt. Greg Zuerlein was 4/4 on FG’s for the day. The lone factor bringing down this grade was two bad decisions from Pharoh Cooper (KR, and PR) to field two attempts which he should have let bounce into the endzone.

Coaching

This grade would be higher, but it was simply a tale of two halves. First half, the offensive gameplan was bad. The defense was playing bend but don’t break ball, thought the ST’s were strong. In the second half, things turned around quickly. The offense was firing on all cylinders, the defense didn’t allow another point, and the ST’s unit was great as always.