Texans open 2025 with a renewed offensive identity under a new play-caller and a bolstered line, led by CJ Stroud as DeMeco Ryans enters Year 3 aiming to prove Houston can contend in the AFC. Week 1 at SoFi Stadium pits Stroud against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, a test of how quickly the offseason tweaks translate into real-game production and fantasy upside. The game should reveal whether Houston’s overhaul can yield a legitimately dangerous attack and whether Los Angeles can keep its offense humming behind Stafford as the season unfolds.

Stafford’s steadiness versus Houston’s new-look approach sets a pivotal Week 1 tone. If Stroud can find rhythm quickly and protect the ball, fantasy managers may see early returns on Houston’s elevated ceiling; if not, the Rams could dominate with stability and tempo, signaling how each team might shape the fantasy landscape in 2025.