September 5, 2025 • 11 mins
Sarah Barshop of ESPN joins Wex and AC to break down the Week 1 battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans, including key elements, betting lines, high profile players and more!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
As we always do here on Sports Talk seven to
ninety on the A team Adam Wexler and Adam Clinton,
we talked Rams football. Well, we talked Rams football when
they opened the season against the Texans, and we will
do that here with Sarah Barshow, ESPN reporter for the Rams,
also covered the Texans prior to making her way out
to LA Although a lot has changed here since then,
(00:23):
Sarah and we certainly appreciate the time. Certainly not much
has changed for these two teams from an expectation standpoint.
Matt Stafford's arrival there a handful of years ago put
big expectations on the Rams. Three playoff seasons in four years,
a Super Bowl championship, But he seems like the only
major major question mark for this team, despite the fact
(00:44):
that he will start the season and presumably is healthy.
Do you believe do they believe does he believe he's
maybe just one ill placed hit away from being sidelined
for a long time.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I think they believe that about any point in any
football season, regardless of how someone's back feels and so,
but there's no doubt that's not what you want your
thirty seven year old quarterback to be dealing with. So
everyone I've talked to in the building says, not a concern,
but I think there will be a lot of people
(01:18):
holding breaths the first hit he takes on Sunday, And.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Of course how much are they going to miss Nick
Kyley who's now here in Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, I know he.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I mean Sean McVay has spoken so highly of him.
When you're on the Sean McVay offensive staff, yes, you
have a specific role tight ends coach, you know, taking
a position group, but also there's a lot of trust.
I think it goes both ways. But with Sean to
these coaches and what kind of the responsibilities he he
entrusts them with in just their opinion as they talk that.
(01:50):
So there have been a lot of people that of
course have been asked asking about you know him this week,
and Sean has said, you know, like we'll miss him
and I'll talk to him again after the game, and that,
you know, because right now it's kind of radio silence.
So well, you've.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Got you've got that going, I guess if you want
to say against you if you're Matt Stafford, but also
just his back, I know that all all signs point
to him being good to go. But what percentage would
you put on a guy like that, especially going up
against what everybody's been talking about on this side of town.
Both these quarterbacks are going to be facing you know,
intense pass rushes.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I think he is. I think he's at the point
where he is ready to go. I don't hate to
say one hundred percent, because you never want to be
dealing with the injury. But I do think they believe
that it has kind of passed them right now as
far as just being ready for the first step. But
like you said, it's a really good pass rush. Chan
McVay was talking about the way that the Texans are
able to rush with four and what a difference that
(02:50):
makes when applying pressure. I was looking at the numbers yesterday.
The Texans had, you know, the lead lead last year
and completion percentage und pressure. So they know it's a
tough defense. A couple of players have said, like, especially
on paper, it's one of the better defenses, and actually
someone said that in Shaunza, not just on paper but
on film too. So they're prepared for what this could
(03:12):
look like on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
What CJ.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Stroud and the Texas offense will be up against was
on full display at the end of the season for
the Rams and certainly in the postseason. And specific to
number eight, the defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse,
I'd like to point out once again why the sack
statistic tells so little of a player's story. It's almost unfathomable.
He only had four and a half sacks a year ago.
(03:38):
How disruptive was he then and how much better could
he be now heading into year two, especially with what
appears to be a defense that a defensive coordinator that
he will put him just about anywhere, it seems along
that defensive front.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Yeah, I think probably the better stat to show how
effective he was last year was pressures, his pressure rate,
and I think he led rookie buy a huge margin.
But then I think even amongst all players was ranked
like fourth or something, so he was very effective, especially
like you said later in the season. And this whole Texan,
this whole I've done this all week, been calling them
(04:13):
the Texas, but this whole Rams defensive front improved. You know,
if you look at what they look like at the
beginning of last season to that playoff game, grew and
leaps and bounds, and I think that's what happens when
you're under our first year defensive coordinator. But talk about
Jared Verse, I thought it was interesting he said, you
know who had all these accolades. I won Defensive Rookie
(04:36):
of the Year. And he said he got the advice
to go back and watch every single play from last season,
the good and the bad. And he said he did
that three or four times. Said he walked away from
that saying thinking, wow, I left so much on the field.
And so if the defensive Rookie of the Year thinks
that he left a lot on the field last year,
I am very excited to see what this season looks
(04:58):
like from this defensive front, but especially him.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Does it just come down to CJ's got all of
these weapons, He's had some added this off season, both
via free agency and then of course the draft, and
then of course Nico Collins is right at the top
of that list. Does it just come down to him
trying to offset maybe a lack of a fantastic offensive
line by getting to those guys before these very pass
(05:24):
rushers you talk about can get to him.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, I think so, because I mean, look, the the
Texans pass rush or him's pass rush strength of this
team too. I'll be interested to see what the secondary
looks like. They didn't add really during free agency there
was a lot of talk, is Jalen Ramsey going to
be traded to the Rams? Is you know, could he
(05:49):
improve that group? And they stuck with what they had
and so talk about the I think when you look
at the improvement last year, yes, the passing, the defense
looked better, but I think a lot of that was
to do with the pass rush. And they know they're
going to have to get after Stroud quickly on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
All right, let's help you out here, Sarah. Have you
spent more years as the Rams reporter for ESPN or
the Texans reporter for ESPN?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
The Texans reporter for ESPN, But not by much?
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Right, You've been there how many years now? In LA?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
This is my fourth season and you.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Were with the ESPN covering Houston for five. Wow. Okay,
so it's certainly forgivable. I make my mistake with the
Rams as I call them the Saint Louis Rams, if
I'm not calling the Chargers the San Diego Chargers. So
you got a trip to Hawaii out of this at
least right for any camp.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
I did highly recommend any NFL owners listening, highly recommend
taking your team to mini camp in Maui or really
anywhere like that. It was it was awesome and they
have Yeah, they're in Maui for I think three days,
so it was a pretty cool setup.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Are you like me, You got off the airplane in
Maui because I've been there twice and You're like, this
is fake. This looks like a movie set.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah. Well, also, I stepped off after living in this
dry heat that is in la and I said, oh,
I feel like I'm back in Houston. But yeah, it
was absolutely beautiful and really, honestly, the coolest part was
to see how many Kukuana Kua fans they were there,
what he's meant the Polynesian fans, and how he's embraced that.
(07:32):
I mean, I feel like every time I turned around
in Maui, it was someone else in the Kuku nakua jersey.
So that was really awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Well, speaking of Puka, what kind of tandem do you
think they will be this year? Nikua's been in a
prominent role from the moment he was drafted and showed
that he needed to be, and now they bring in
Devonte Adams to pair with him, who said, you know,
I don't think there's any reason on his back for
any lack of production or success he might have had
with the last couple of stops. But from my standpoint,
(08:01):
I think this is deadly potentially a very good combination.
How do they see things there with those two, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
There's a lot of excitement specifically about that. It's probably
what I'm most interested in seeing on Sunday is how
Sean uses the two of them, because you think back
to Pukah his first year, a huge reason he was
able to set the rookie record. Obviously he played very well,
but also Cooper Cup wasn't there. He was hurt for
the start of the season and it kind of became
(08:28):
it was Kuka's offense a little bit. And then the
second year they both got hurt. Last year they both
a significant time with injuries at the same time. And
so if Puca and Devontae can stay healthy, I'm guessing
it will probably feel a little bit like just an
embarrassment of riches for Sean McVay because he's been dealing
with so many injuries since I have covered this team
(08:51):
and so obviously always a big ift. But if the
two of them can stay healthy, I think it'll be
fun to watch what seaw Macksvay chooses to do with
when you talk about like target share and do they
play a lot of love and personnel like they have
in the pass or do they after drafting a tight
end with their first pick this year, go more twelve.
So it'll be interesting to see. I think we'll get
(09:13):
the first plums obviously on Sunday, but maybe in the
midway of the season kind of how that shakes out,
especially with those two receivers.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Talking to Sarah Barshop, she is the Rams reporter for ESPN,
but of course did the same thing for the Texans
four years ago. Now looking back at that time, which
was obviously pre cj Stroud, the Texans finally get their
franchise quarterback, they think they get their franchise coach and
Damiico Ryans and they get Will Anderson Junior. And this
is all in the same offseason. And we've talked about
(09:42):
this a lot. I wanted to get somebody's opinion from
now outside of the organization, especially in light of what
we're going to see between these two teams the opening
week of this year. Do you think this CJ got
a bit of a bad rap in his sophomore campaign.
It was such a great rookie season. He took a
lot of criticism, and I don't necessarily I think he's
getting a lot of the preseason respect that he did
(10:02):
a year prior. How much of that was him? How
much of that do you think was was the offensive
line that was in front of him last year?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah? I think a lot of times, and I don't
mean this specifically national media, but just in general, when
you're talking about a national perspective on a player, so
much of that is probably highlights or just what you
see on social media, because the truth is, how many
people who are having these opinions aren't necessarily watching every
(10:31):
snap of the game like you guys are. So I think,
look there, since the quarterbacks who have been marred and
been in, you know, a bad situation because of their
offensive line. I think this why this year will be
a really big year for him, and I'm curious what
it will look like. Excited to see it up close
on Sunday. But to me, actually, the thing I've heard
(10:55):
most like outside of it is about Tamiko and just
kind of his attitude in what he has, the toughness
he's brought to that team. I'm excited to see what
the defense. I think Stroud is obviously a big part
of it, but I'm actually really excited to see kind
of the effort that this defense plays with in person.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Certainly appreciate the respect you put on the the reporters
that are around the team the most. I definitely appreciate
that you for the Rams and us right here for
the Texans looking forward to the game this weekend. Certainly
appreciate the time you spend here with our listeners and
enjoy the game, enjoy the season, and hopefully we'll catch
up again soon.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Thank you. Great to be hon with you guys.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Good to have you on again. A regular visitor over
the years to this program. Will catch a quick break
and bring you next our Stone Cold Locks, the A
team
Speaker 3 (11:41):
On Sports Talk seven ninety
As we always do here on Sports Talk seven to
ninety on the A team Adam Wexler and Adam Clinton,
we talked Rams football. Well, we talked Rams football when
they opened the season against the Texans, and we will
do that here with Sarah Barshow, ESPN reporter for the Rams,
also covered the Texans prior to making her way out
to LA Although a lot has changed here since then,
(00:23):
Sarah and we certainly appreciate the time. Certainly not much
has changed for these two teams from an expectation standpoint.
Matt Stafford's arrival there a handful of years ago put
big expectations on the Rams. Three playoff seasons in four years,
a Super Bowl championship, But he seems like the only
major major question mark for this team, despite the fact
(00:44):
that he will start the season and presumably is healthy.
Do you believe do they believe does he believe he's
maybe just one ill placed hit away from being sidelined
for a long time.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I think they believe that about any point in any
football season, regardless of how someone's back feels and so,
but there's no doubt that's not what you want your
thirty seven year old quarterback to be dealing with. So
everyone I've talked to in the building says, not a concern,
but I think there will be a lot of people
(01:18):
holding breaths the first hit he takes on Sunday, And.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Of course how much are they going to miss Nick
Kyley who's now here in Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, I know he.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I mean Sean McVay has spoken so highly of him.
When you're on the Sean McVay offensive staff, yes, you
have a specific role tight ends coach, you know, taking
a position group, but also there's a lot of trust.
I think it goes both ways. But with Sean to
these coaches and what kind of the responsibilities he he
entrusts them with in just their opinion as they talk that.
(01:50):
So there have been a lot of people that of
course have been asked asking about you know him this week,
and Sean has said, you know, like we'll miss him
and I'll talk to him again after the game, and that,
you know, because right now it's kind of radio silence.
So well, you've.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Got you've got that going, I guess if you want
to say against you if you're Matt Stafford, but also
just his back, I know that all all signs point
to him being good to go. But what percentage would
you put on a guy like that, especially going up
against what everybody's been talking about on this side of town.
Both these quarterbacks are going to be facing you know,
intense pass rushes.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I think he is. I think he's at the point
where he is ready to go. I don't hate to
say one hundred percent, because you never want to be
dealing with the injury. But I do think they believe
that it has kind of passed them right now as
far as just being ready for the first step. But
like you said, it's a really good pass rush. Chan
McVay was talking about the way that the Texans are
able to rush with four and what a difference that
(02:50):
makes when applying pressure. I was looking at the numbers yesterday.
The Texans had, you know, the lead lead last year
and completion percentage und pressure. So they know it's a
tough defense. A couple of players have said, like, especially
on paper, it's one of the better defenses, and actually
someone said that in Shaunza, not just on paper but
on film too. So they're prepared for what this could
(03:12):
look like on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
What CJ.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Stroud and the Texas offense will be up against was
on full display at the end of the season for
the Rams and certainly in the postseason. And specific to
number eight, the defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse,
I'd like to point out once again why the sack
statistic tells so little of a player's story. It's almost unfathomable.
He only had four and a half sacks a year ago.
(03:38):
How disruptive was he then and how much better could
he be now heading into year two, especially with what
appears to be a defense that a defensive coordinator that
he will put him just about anywhere, it seems along
that defensive front.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Yeah, I think probably the better stat to show how
effective he was last year was pressures, his pressure rate,
and I think he led rookie buy a huge margin.
But then I think even amongst all players was ranked
like fourth or something, so he was very effective, especially
like you said later in the season. And this whole Texan,
this whole I've done this all week, been calling them
(04:13):
the Texas, but this whole Rams defensive front improved. You know,
if you look at what they look like at the
beginning of last season to that playoff game, grew and
leaps and bounds, and I think that's what happens when
you're under our first year defensive coordinator. But talk about
Jared Verse, I thought it was interesting he said, you
know who had all these accolades. I won Defensive Rookie
(04:36):
of the Year. And he said he got the advice
to go back and watch every single play from last season,
the good and the bad. And he said he did
that three or four times. Said he walked away from
that saying thinking, wow, I left so much on the field.
And so if the defensive Rookie of the Year thinks
that he left a lot on the field last year,
I am very excited to see what this season looks
(04:58):
like from this defensive front, but especially him.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Does it just come down to CJ's got all of
these weapons, He's had some added this off season, both
via free agency and then of course the draft, and
then of course Nico Collins is right at the top
of that list. Does it just come down to him
trying to offset maybe a lack of a fantastic offensive
line by getting to those guys before these very pass
(05:24):
rushers you talk about can get to him.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, I think so, because I mean, look, the the
Texans pass rush or him's pass rush strength of this
team too. I'll be interested to see what the secondary
looks like. They didn't add really during free agency there
was a lot of talk, is Jalen Ramsey going to
be traded to the Rams? Is you know, could he
(05:49):
improve that group? And they stuck with what they had
and so talk about the I think when you look
at the improvement last year, yes, the passing, the defense
looked better, but I think a lot of that was
to do with the pass rush. And they know they're
going to have to get after Stroud quickly on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
All right, let's help you out here, Sarah. Have you
spent more years as the Rams reporter for ESPN or
the Texans reporter for ESPN?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
The Texans reporter for ESPN, But not by much?
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Right, You've been there how many years now? In LA?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
This is my fourth season and you.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Were with the ESPN covering Houston for five. Wow. Okay,
so it's certainly forgivable. I make my mistake with the
Rams as I call them the Saint Louis Rams, if
I'm not calling the Chargers the San Diego Chargers. So
you got a trip to Hawaii out of this at
least right for any camp.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
I did highly recommend any NFL owners listening, highly recommend
taking your team to mini camp in Maui or really
anywhere like that. It was it was awesome and they
have Yeah, they're in Maui for I think three days,
so it was a pretty cool setup.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Are you like me, You got off the airplane in
Maui because I've been there twice and You're like, this
is fake. This looks like a movie set.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah. Well, also, I stepped off after living in this
dry heat that is in la and I said, oh,
I feel like I'm back in Houston. But yeah, it
was absolutely beautiful and really, honestly, the coolest part was
to see how many Kukuana Kua fans they were there,
what he's meant the Polynesian fans, and how he's embraced that.
(07:32):
I mean, I feel like every time I turned around
in Maui, it was someone else in the Kuku nakua jersey.
So that was really awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Well, speaking of Puka, what kind of tandem do you
think they will be this year? Nikua's been in a
prominent role from the moment he was drafted and showed
that he needed to be, and now they bring in
Devonte Adams to pair with him, who said, you know,
I don't think there's any reason on his back for
any lack of production or success he might have had
with the last couple of stops. But from my standpoint,
(08:01):
I think this is deadly potentially a very good combination.
How do they see things there with those two, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
There's a lot of excitement specifically about that. It's probably
what I'm most interested in seeing on Sunday is how
Sean uses the two of them, because you think back
to Pukah his first year, a huge reason he was
able to set the rookie record. Obviously he played very well,
but also Cooper Cup wasn't there. He was hurt for
the start of the season and it kind of became
(08:28):
it was Kuka's offense a little bit. And then the
second year they both got hurt. Last year they both
a significant time with injuries at the same time. And
so if Puca and Devontae can stay healthy, I'm guessing
it will probably feel a little bit like just an
embarrassment of riches for Sean McVay because he's been dealing
with so many injuries since I have covered this team
(08:51):
and so obviously always a big ift. But if the
two of them can stay healthy, I think it'll be
fun to watch what seaw Macksvay chooses to do with
when you talk about like target share and do they
play a lot of love and personnel like they have
in the pass or do they after drafting a tight
end with their first pick this year, go more twelve.
So it'll be interesting to see. I think we'll get
(09:13):
the first plums obviously on Sunday, but maybe in the
midway of the season kind of how that shakes out,
especially with those two receivers.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Talking to Sarah Barshop, she is the Rams reporter for ESPN,
but of course did the same thing for the Texans
four years ago. Now looking back at that time, which
was obviously pre cj Stroud, the Texans finally get their
franchise quarterback, they think they get their franchise coach and
Damiico Ryans and they get Will Anderson Junior. And this
is all in the same offseason. And we've talked about
(09:42):
this a lot. I wanted to get somebody's opinion from
now outside of the organization, especially in light of what
we're going to see between these two teams the opening
week of this year. Do you think this CJ got
a bit of a bad rap in his sophomore campaign.
It was such a great rookie season. He took a
lot of criticism, and I don't necessarily I think he's
getting a lot of the preseason respect that he did
(10:02):
a year prior. How much of that was him? How
much of that do you think was was the offensive
line that was in front of him last year?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah? I think a lot of times, and I don't
mean this specifically national media, but just in general, when
you're talking about a national perspective on a player, so
much of that is probably highlights or just what you
see on social media, because the truth is, how many
people who are having these opinions aren't necessarily watching every
(10:31):
snap of the game like you guys are. So I think,
look there, since the quarterbacks who have been marred and
been in, you know, a bad situation because of their
offensive line. I think this why this year will be
a really big year for him, and I'm curious what
it will look like. Excited to see it up close
on Sunday. But to me, actually, the thing I've heard
(10:55):
most like outside of it is about Tamiko and just
kind of his attitude in what he has, the toughness
he's brought to that team. I'm excited to see what
the defense. I think Stroud is obviously a big part
of it, but I'm actually really excited to see kind
of the effort that this defense plays with in person.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Certainly appreciate the respect you put on the the reporters
that are around the team the most. I definitely appreciate
that you for the Rams and us right here for
the Texans looking forward to the game this weekend. Certainly
appreciate the time you spend here with our listeners and
enjoy the game, enjoy the season, and hopefully we'll catch
up again soon.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Thank you. Great to be hon with you guys.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Good to have you on again. A regular visitor over
the years to this program. Will catch a quick break
and bring you next our Stone Cold Locks, the A
team
Speaker 3 (11:41):
On Sports Talk seven ninety
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