Game story
In Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-31, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 38–22 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Mills (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -7.19 total EPA, and +8.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-11.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short right to 27-D.Henderson.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 17 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Stafford · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +19.45 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 2 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.78 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 3 B. Cooks · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.73 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
- 4 V. Jefferson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
- 5 N. Collins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.10 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
- 6 D. Henderson · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +2.62 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 7 B. Skowronek · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 8 R. Burkhead · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Stafford — LA · Passing
M. Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+19.45) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.59 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.22 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (8:14) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left intended for 89-D.Amendola INTERCEPTED by 50-E.Jones at HOU 31. 50-E.Jones pushed ob at HOU 12 for 19 yards (72-G.Christian).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — D. Henderson (M. Stafford pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods (M. Stafford pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — D. Henderson
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods
- Houston Texans — R. Burkhead
- Houston Texans — B. Cooks (D. Mills pass)
- Houston Texans — B. Jordan (D. Mills pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q1 54:36) — (9:36) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 27-D.Henderson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 54:32) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 17–0. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the HOU 9 (Q2 38:54) — (8:54) 8-M.Gay 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 36:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 2-R.Woods for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 36:09) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q2 30:32) — (:32) 27-D.Henderson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 30:30) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the HOU 11 (Q3 22:59) — (7:59) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 22:55) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the HOU 16 (Q3 15:08) — (:08) 2-R.Woods left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 15:02) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 22–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q4 8:10) — (8:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-R.Burkhead up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 8:08) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the LA 45 (Q4 5:06) — (5:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass deep left to 13-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 5:00) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the LA 9 (Q4 2:39) — (2:39) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left to 9-B.Jordan for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans registered a safety from the LA 2 (Q4 2:35) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-D.Mills rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short right to 27-D.Henderson.
- Houston Texans (Q2 38:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left intended for 89-D.Amendola INTERCEPTED by 50-E.Jones at HOU 31. 50-E.Jones pushed ob at HOU 12 for 19 yards (72-G.Christian).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 57:14) — (12:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 12-V.Jefferson to HOU 40 for 5 yards (26-V.Hargreaves).
- Houston Texans (Q2 30:30) — 8-M.Gay kicks 71 yards from LA 35 to HOU -6. 24-T.Smith to HOU 38 for 44 yards (8-M.Gay).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 42:02) — (12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 2-R.Woods to HOU 23 for 28 yards (20-Ju.Reid).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q2 38:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left intended for 89-D.Amendola INTERCEPTED by 50-E.Jones at HOU 31. 50-E.Jones pushed ob at HOU 12 for 19 yards (72-G.Christian).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 24:26) — (9:26) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 12-V.Jefferson to HOU 11 for 68 yards (1-L.Johnson).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short right to 27-D.Henderson.
- Houston Texans (Q4 5:06) — (5:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass deep left to 13-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
D.Mills led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Mills (Houston Texans) · 44 dropbacks · 65.9% completion · +8.4% CPOE · -0.16 EPA/play · -7.19 total EPA
- M.Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · -2.5% CPOE · +0.59 EPA/play · +19.45 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Rams | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.176 | -0.074 |
| Offensive success rate | 53.0% | 43.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.463 | -0.171 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.030 | -0.014 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.074 | -0.176 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.6% | 47.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Rams generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.18 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Houston Texans: 13 drives, -6.13 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 12 drives, +14.59 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Mills (HOU) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 54:36 · HOU 3 · Score 6-0
(9:36) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 27-D.Henderson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 54:32 · HOU 15 · Score 7-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 38:54 · HOU 9 · Score 10-0
(8:54) 8-M.Gay 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 36:13 · HOU 2 · Score 16-0
(6:13) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 2-R.Woods for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 36:09 · HOU 15 · Score 17-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 30:32 · HOU 1 · Score 23-0
(:32) 27-D.Henderson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 30:30 · HOU 15 · Score 24-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 22:59 · HOU 11 · Score 30-0
(7:59) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 22:55 · HOU 15 · Score 31-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 15:08 · HOU 16 · Score 37-0
(:08) 2-R.Woods left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 15:02 · HOU 15 · Score 38-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 8:10 · LA 1 · Score 38-6
(8:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-R.Burkhead up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 8:08 · LA 15 · Score 38-7
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 5:06 · LA 45 · Score 38-13
(5:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass deep left to 13-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 5:00 · LA 15 · Score 38-14
7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 2:39 · LA 9 · Score 38-20
(2:39) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left to 9-B.Jordan for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans Safety (+2) — Q4 2:35 · LA 2 · Score 38-22
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-D.Mills rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Houston Texans 38-22 in Week 8, 2021 on 2021-10-31.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 38, Houston Texans 22 (LA 38-22 HOU) in Week 8, 2021 on 2021-10-31.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
Q1: Los Angeles Rams 7, Houston Texans 0; Q2: Los Angeles Rams 17, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Los Angeles Rams 14, Houston Texans 0; Q4: Los Angeles Rams 0, Houston Texans 22; Final: Los Angeles Rams 38, Houston Texans 22.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — D. Henderson (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 54:36) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — R. Woods (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 36:13) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — D. Henderson (Q2 30:32) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 22:59) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — R. Woods (Q3 15:08) Houston Texans touchdown — R. Burkhead (Q4 8:10) Houston Texans touchdown — B. Cooks (D. Mills pass) (Q4 5:06) Houston Texans touchdown — B. Jordan (D. Mills pass) (Q4 2:39) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q2 38:54, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
D. Mills (Houston Texans), 65.9% completion, +8.4% CPOE, -0.16 EPA per dropback, -7.19 total passing EPA. M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), 63.6% completion, -2.5% CPOE, +0.59 EPA per dropback, +19.45 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans?
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +19.45 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.22 EPA): (8:14) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short left intended for 89-D.Amendola INTERCEPTED by 50-E.Jones at HOU 31. 50-E.Jones pushed ob at HOU 12 for 19 yards (72-G.Christian).. The biggest win-probability swing was -11.7%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 6-1 Now 7-1 W
Houston Texans
Entered 1-6 Now 1-7 L
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