NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams look to make it three straight wins as they face the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The Rams are coming off a 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers that evened their record at 4-4. The Commanders are coming off a 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. During their winning streak, the Rams have shown the offensive attack that makes them a tough team to contain.
Davante Adams is out with an injury, and the Rams don’t fully trust their receivers outside of Puka Nacua. Head coach Sean McVay returned to a more balanced attack. Against the Chargers, Coach McVay called 25 passing plays and 27 running plays. Similar to the game against the Raiders, quarterback Matthew Stafford completed passes to only 2 wide receivers. Puka Nacua led the way with 11 receptions. Though teams are focusing on limiting Nacua’s production with Adams out, the star receiver keeps finding ways to get open for Stafford.
Though Stafford ranks second in the NFL in passing yards, his numbers have dropped since Adams’ injury. Against the Chargers, Stafford passed for 157 yards. The Rams haven’t looked to stretch the field with deep passes. Still, Tutu Atwell had a 40-yard reception. Stafford has shifted to a more short-to-mid-range passing attack. He uses his tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Look for Stafford to keep using his backs and tight ends in a balanced passing attack.
The Los Angeles Rams continue to use their two-running-back scheme with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Against the Chargers, the duo combined for 129 yards on 27 carries and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, the Commanders have allowed just under 100 rushing yards per game. Look for the Rams to keep using Williams and Corum in a balanced rushing attack to test the Commanders’ run defense.
The Los Angeles Rams defense faces a daunting task of containing Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Though Daniels has missed some time this season due to injuries, he has completed 63% of his passes with 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Daniels can escape the pocket and extend plays with his legs. However, Daniels has been sacked 12 times this season. Look for Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula to pressure Daniels with different blitz packages. With Daniels’ ability to escape the pocket, the Rams edge rushers, led by Byron Young and Josiah Stewart, need to maintain outside containment discipline and not allow him to escape to the outside. With the expectation that the Rams will blitz, the secondary will look to lock down the Commanders’ receivers.
The Los Angeles secondary got bad news this week when the team announced that CB Jaylen Watson needs shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the season. With Watson out for the season, the Rams will turn to Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes to step in. Trent McDuffie is still dealing with a groin injury but is expected to play against Washington. Look for McDuffie to shadow Stefon Diggs when the Rams play man coverage. While the Rams defense will focus on containing Daniels and the Commanders’ passing attack, the defense cannot overlook the Commanders’ running game.
Washington’s running game, led by RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White, averages 126 rushing yards per game. The Los Angeles defense, which has played better during its two-game winning streak, allows an average of 109 rushing yards per game. Washington will look to test the Rams’ run defense early to keep it honest. The Rams defensive line will look to get off their blocks to close up inside running lanes, with the linebackers looking to fill the holes. Outside defenders will look to force the Commanders’ running backs back inside while maintaining outside run support.
Los Angeles has gotten off to a slower start to the 2026 season than most anticipated. In the past two games, the Rams have shown improved play and look to build on the momentum of two straight wins. Look for the Rams to come out, establish the running game, and continue using the balanced attack they have employed recently. In the end, the Rams will make it three straight wins and see their record improve to 5-4.
Rams 27
Commanders 10
