Rams front seven aims to dominate with Verse, Turner, Fiske and Byron Young leading the pass rush as Houston’s rebuilt line tries to protect CJ Stroud. Laremy Tunsil’s departure to Washington compounds the Texans’ protection woes, while Poona Ford anchors the inside for LA, and Matthew Stafford tests a Houston defense that piled up sacks last season. Expect Stroud to lean on Nico Collins and Tank Dell, but expect heavy pressure that could shape early fantasy outputs for both teams.

Stafford’s health looms as a narrative, with the Rams looking to a high-tempo passing attack if he’s close to full strength. Houston counters with a young, multi-weapon offense around Stroud, balancing risk of sacks with big-play upside. Injuries to Texans’ Braxton Berrios and Christian Kirk thin the depth chart, elevating opportunity for fringe fantasy options, while LA’s interior pressure could force quick reads from Stroud and create swing-for-the-fences opportunities for Rams targets.

In this clash of a stout Rams pass rush and a Texans offense still finding its protection identity, fantasy managers will be watching snap counts, protection schemes, and which secondary receivers step up when main options are sidelined.