Houston opened with three field goals in a 14-9 loss to Los Angeles, failing to convert late chances as penalties and pass protection woes lingered. C.J. Stroud faced steady pressure (three sacks, 41.2% of dropbacks) and the run game struggled behind a shuffled line. Tight ends Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover helped move the sticks, while Calen Bullock and Derek Stingley Jr. battled through a secondary miscue in the second half. Azeez Al-Shaair forced a key fumble late, but Nate Landman sealed the win with a ball-popping strip on Dare Ogunbowale.

On the other side, Matthew Stafford and the Rams exploited Houston’s eye discipline with a late 68-yard drive capped by a Davis Allen TD and a 36-yard connection to Xavier Smith, signaling a prolific Week 1 ceiling for LAR’s pass game even with a handful of injuries and shuffles. The Rams’ defense showed resilience, while Houston’s unit environments promised adjustments ahead of next week.

Stafford's back looks closer to 100, delivering two sharp second-half passes after an opening spark from backups. A 36-yard strike to Xavier Smith set Rams into scoring range, followed by a Davis Allen 13-yard TD to reclaim the lead. The performance reinforces a healthier, deeper Rams passing game, hinting at late-round fantasy upside as the offense stabilizes behind the star quarterback.

The connection with backups and the offensive schematic growth suggest Rams receivers beyond the stars could emerge in fantasy plans. Stafford’s health, coupled with red-zone efficiency from Allen, makes Rams pass-catching depth worth monitoring in drafts and daily formats as preseason game plans unfold.

The Rams kept six wideouts on their 53-man roster to fuel a three-receiver look, a core strategy for McVay’s offense. Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell form the trio at the top, with Konata Mumpfield stepping in as a jump-ball threat, Jordan Whittington providing physicality, and Xavier Smith offering elite speed. Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson have departed, but the room is reshaped into a versatile, matchup-ready group. Mike LaFleur calls it the deepest receiver unit he’s coached, and Stafford’s return should sharpen an attack built to exploit multiple levels and alignments.

The three-headed dynamic Adams–Nacua–Atwell drives a flexible system that can morph around defenses on film. Mumpfield adds a red-zone and 50/50 component, Whittington extends the physicality, and Smith mirrors the speed of Atwell. With this depth, the Rams can mix routes, leverage misdirection, and keep defenses guessing as the season unfolds.

Fantasy managers should watch how McVay deploys these weapons in Week 1 and beyond, as the depth chart suggests volatility at the margins but potential weekly boom weeks when matchups align.

Rams finalize a 53-man roster with Konata Mumpfield and Xavier Smith earning spots, giving Los Angeles a versatile WR corps as they prep for Week 1 versus Houston. LaFleur highlighted the rookies’ spring work and growth, noting Smith’s proficiency as a punt returner and his multi-position receiver potential, while Mumpfield’s maturity and big-picture understanding stand out. The team also anticipates 16 practice squad players joining soon, with health and depth shaping early-season decisions.

The focus on health and depth signals a disciplined transition into the opener, where a flexible six-man WR rotation could unlock offsetting looks for the offense. The Rams are stacking practice days and building certainty as they navigate the inevitable adversity of a long NFL season.