The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Houston Texans 21-20 in their third preseason game on Saturday, August 25. The Rams improved to 2-1 in the exhibition season.
Houston took an early 7-0 lead following an interception by Rams quarterback Sean Mannion. Texans running back Alfred Blue ran it in for the score on the ensuing play.
However, Mannion and the Rams responded quickly. He drove the team downfield on the ensuing drive and found wide receiver Pharoh Cooper for a 6-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
A Texans turnover late in the second quarter gave the Rams the ball deep in Houston territory. Running back John Kelly scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 5-yard run moments later, which gave the Rams a 14-7 lead.
Los Angeles proved unable to hold the lead into halftime. Houston quarterback Brandon Weeden led his team through a two-minute drill resulting in a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braxton Miller to tie the game at 14-14 at halftime.
The Rams dominated much of the third quarter with a 19-play, 75-yard drive resulting in a 15-yard touchdown run from Kelly. Los Angeles then held off a late Texans’ surge to earn the 21-20 victory.
Stats
Mannion completed 11 of 17 passes for 68 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Brandon Allen finished off the game for the Rams completing 10 of 13 passes for 63 yards.
Kelly led the Rams with 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Wide receiver Fred Brown caught five passes for 35 yards.
The Rams head east to finish the preseason. They will face the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, August 30 at 5:00 p.m. PT on KCBS.
