by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Oct 30, 2021
Game time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Rams -16.5
BetMGM: Rams -15.5
Caesars: Rams -16
Season record
Rams: 6-1 (2nd place, NFC West)
Texans: 1-6 (Last place, AFC South)
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Rams - Texans preview and analysis
Last week
Rams: won 28-19 vs. Lions
Texans: lost 31-5 at Cardinals
Man, what did the Houston Texans do to ever deserve this?
First the Arizona Cardinals, now the Los Angeles Rams? At least they’re not three-touchdown underdogs like they were against Arizona last week.
But them facing the Rams is no easy feat either, and that defense may be just as worse than facing the Cardinals.
The Rams can move into a tie for first place in the NFC West with a win by way of the Cardinals losing to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The sound you hear is the 1972 Miami Dolphins still popping the champagne.
"Got a lot of great friends, got a lot of people that I care about that are on that team or from that city, and just glad to have this one over with,” said Matthew Stafford, who played the first 10 years of his career with the Detroit Lions, winning 28-19 on Sunday. “Can put the storylines away and just go out and play football the rest of the year, and just enjoy it."
Stafford continued his MVP train with 334 yards and three touchdowns last week, becoming the 13th quarterback in NFL history with 300 touchdown passes. Cooper Kupp continued his case for being one of the best receivers in the league with two of those touchdown passes to cap a day of 10 receptions for 156 yards.
The Texans are being asked to stop that. And the Texans offense is being asked to somehow contain Aaron Donald and this Rams defense. No big deal.
But the Houston football team is also being asked to somehow play every week while they’re trading away folks. Leading rusher Mark Ingram was re-acquired by the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a seventh-round pick, which is reportedly going over so well in the already-fractured Houston locker room.
And yet Deshaun Watson is still in Houston. Nothing makes sense anymore.
"We are going to stay together," Texans coach David Culley said after Sunday’s 26-point loss to the Cardinals. "There is a process we are going through. We don't like where we are right now."
Narrator: They did not stay together. Rookie Davis Mills is all by his lonesome. The Texans odds aren’t great here.
Prediction
Again, much like last week, don’t hesitate to take the big spread. If the Rams fail to cover, sound the alarms. Tyrod Taylor might be back for the Texans in this matchup, but it won’t matter (even if they’re not going to Taylor. Rams by 27
Betting trends
The Rams are 18-12 ATS as a road favorite in the last three seasons.
The Rams are 12-2 ATS after not covering the week prior.
The Rams are also 2-10 ATS following two straight wins.
The Texans are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 following a road loss.
The Texans are 13-3 ATS after scoring 14 points or less in two consecutive games.
Players to watch
Rams: Wide receiver Robert Woods is coming off a six-catch game for 70 yards last week against the Lions. He has at least five receptions in two of his past three road game. The last time he faced the Texans, he had 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Texans: For a limited offense, former Rams receiver Brandin Cooks has been the lone star for Houston. He has at least five receptions in six of seven games this season and has at least 100 yards in four of his last five home games.
Statistical leaders
Rams:
Passing: Matthew Stafford -- 2,172 yards, 19 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Darrell Henderson -- 417 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: Cooper Kupp -- 809 yards, 9 TD
Defense: Leonard Floyd -- 4.5 sacks
Texans:
Passing: Davis Mills -- 1,047 yards, 5 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Mark Ingram -- 294 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Brandin Cooks -- 502 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Christian Kirksey -- 51 tackles
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
