By JORDAN GODWIN
HOUSTON (AP) _ In the battle for Los Angeles’ third-string quarterback job, John Wolford played well and Brandon Allen struggled as the Rams closed out the preseason with a 22-10 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
Los Angeles took a 15-10 lead late in the third quarter after an interception from Ramon Richards set up a scoring drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by Justin Davis. Davis also added a two-point conversion. He finished with 78 yards rushing on 16 carries.
Allen started the game but generally traded drives back and forth with Wolford. Jared Goff was on the sideline as was backup Blake Bortles, who was in uniform but didn’t play.
Wolford went 8 for 15 for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Allen was 12 for 17 for 120 yards and two interceptions.
For Houston, Joe Webb III made his final case for a roster spot as a versatile option behind starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and backup A.J. McCarron, who missed recent weeks with his right hand in a cast after hitting it on a helmet during practice. McCarron shed the cast during pregame warmups and was throwing passes but did not play.
Webb looked sharp in the first half, completing 14 of 20 passes for 109 yards, while also scrambling for a 32-yard gain to the Rams’ 5-yard line. On the next play, he found Jerell Adams for a 5-yard touchdown pass that put Houston up 7-0.
Houston’s following three drives, however, resulted in punts before Ka’imi Fairbarn converted a 39-yard field goal attempt.
Fairbarn finished a strong preseason 6-for-6 on field goals with a long of 50 yards and went 5-for-6 on extra-point attempts.
Webb went 19 of 29 for 163 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Late in the fourth quarter, he rode on a cart toward the Texans locker room with an apparent right ankle injury.
The Rams’ lone score in the first half came on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wolford to rookie tight end Kendall Blanton. Wolford’s second touchdown pass came early in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard pass to Nsimba Webster.
Most Texans and Rams starters were sidelined for the final exhibition game, with Texans tight end Jordan Thomas being an exception. Thomas caught two passes for 19 yards.
NO CLOWNEY AROUND
Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney remained absent from NRG Stadium. He has been the subject of trade rumors.
TWO HELPINGS
Rams outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo had two sacks, one on Webb and one on rookie Jordan Ta’amu.
HEY, TRY THIS
Rams backup punter Brock Miller punted five times and added an extra-point conversion as he displayed his versatility. Four-time Pro Bowl punter Johnny Hekker did not play.
DRESSING OUT
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took dressing out for the game to a new level, wearing a red hoodie underneath his jersey and wearing all-white Air Jordan 13 sneakers.
UP NEXT
Rams: Open the season at Carolina on Sept. 8.
Texans: Visit New Orleans for a Monday night game on Sept. 9.