The Los Angeles Rams opened the 2025 season with a 14-9 win over the Houston Texans, which saw new linebacker Nate Landman make a game-saving play in the final minutes when he punched out the football from running back Dare Ogunbowale.
Landman signed a one-year contract with the Rams during the offseason and was one of seven players voted team captains for the 2025 season. The 26-year-old was also given the honor of wearing the green dot on defense after an impressive training camp.
Landman discussed his forced fumble after the game and said he was grateful to help the Rams secure a win in their regular season opener, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“It means so much,” said Landman, who played three seasons for the Atlanta Falcons before signing a one-year contract with the Rams. “You work, you work, you work, for that moment to happen there, and for that moment to come to fruition and expose itself is really great.”
Landman is part of a Rams defense that held the Texans to three field goals, while also recording three sacks and an interception. He believes L.A.’s unit has a chance to be one of the best in football this season:
“The sky’s the limit for this defense,” Landman said. “You see the guys we have up front, the pressure we’re able to create on the quarterback.
“And you pair that with the coverage behind it — it’s a lot to look forward to this year.”
The Rams defense made significant strides last year, and with most of their key contributors returning this season, there’s no telling how good the group could be.
The addition of Landman has already proven to be important and he should continue making an impact for the remainder of the season.
Nate Landman explains decision to sign with Rams
Nate Landman, who spent his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, explained his decision to join the Rams.
“For me, a lot of things went into it,” he began. “One is the success of this program. Two, I’m a West Coast kid. Growing up in California and coming back home was a clear choice. Then, I built a pretty strong relationship last year with [Senior Defensive Assistant] Jimmy Lake. All those things combined allowed for an easy decision. Just super excited to be here, grateful for the opportunity and excited to get rolling.”
Landman added: “There’s going to be differences for sure. Everybody’s got their own flavor. I’m excited to have some familiarity with the defense, knowing how we want to attack offenses, some of the scheme stuff and some of the verbiage. I think that’ll make an easy transition for me coming from a similar scheme and having someone like Jimmy Lake that I have a relationship with.”
