Rams vs. Commanders Week 9 preview: Los Angeles faces dangerous trap game in Washington

The Playbook

A blue wave swept across the country this week, and the Los Angeles Rams are hoping their own blue-and-gold wave continues rolling through the nation’s capital on Sunday.

Three weeks ago, this Rams train that’s hoping the final stop is at SoFi Stadium next February, appeared to be falling off the tracks. A humiliating loss to the Arizona Cardinals dropped them to 2-4, dead last in the NFC West.

Now, following consecutive victories over the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, the Rams (4-4) have their train back on the tracks. A third straight victory would push them above .500 for the first time this season and firmly back into the NFC playoff conversation just before their schedule is about to become the toughest in the NFL down the stretch.

But the Washington Commanders want to derail this Rams train, and they might have figured out the strategy to do it after scoring 27 unanswered points last Sunday night.

The Commanders (2-4-1) return to Northwest Stadium after snapping a three-game winless streak with a stunning 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 217 yards and a touchdown, finally securing his first victory in more than 13 months.

And despite their record, Dan Quinn’s Commanders aren’t waving the white flag on the season yet.

Washington has been a difficult team to put away, particularly at home, where its physicality and opportunistic defense have helped compensate for an inconsistent offense.

If the Rams have learned anything this season, it’s that they can’t mistake a losing record for an easy Sunday afternoon.

Defensively, Los Angeles is playing its best football of the season. The Rams have held four of their last five opponents under 22 points, including a dominant performance against the Chargers in which they intercepted Justin Herbert twice and held their crosstown rivals to three field goals without allowing a touchdown.

Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett returned to practice this week for the first time since September, raising the possibility of finally seeing Garrett and Aaron Donald terrorizing quarterbacks together.

But the Rams’ injury epidemic continues to claim victims.

Two-time Super Bowl champion cornerback Jaylen Watson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday, while All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie is battling a back injury.

That’s a dangerous combination against Daniels, whose ability to escape the pocket presents a completely different challenge. Remember what Josh Allen did to the Rams in Week 5? The Buffalo Bills quarterback gashed Los Angeles for 121 rushing yards. Daniels is capable of creating similar headaches if the Rams abandon their pass-rushing lanes.

Offensively, the Rams have rediscovered their identity behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who have each scored touchdowns in consecutive games.

That two-headed rushing attack has taken pressure off Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for 2,146 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

But Washington is surrendering just 3.1 yards per carry, meaning the Rams may need Stafford and Puka Nacua to carry the offense if the ground game stalls.

Washington’s secondary offers opportunities. The Commanders rank 27th against the pass, allowing 243 yards per game, and 25th in defensive third-down efficiency.

Still, this matchup has danger written all over it.

The Rams are feeling good about themselves again, with their bye week approaching and the playoff picture beginning to come back into focus.

The Commanders, meanwhile, have already demonstrated they’re capable of ruining a division rival’s Sunday.

And in Washington, political upsets aren’t the only surprises that can shake the establishment.

Marquee matchup

Jayden Daniels vs. Rams pass rush

The Rams have spent the past month pressuring quarterbacks without consistently putting them on the ground. That could become a serious problem against Jayden Daniels.

Washington’s elusive quarterback is dangerous when plays break down, and the Rams already experienced what happens when a mobile quarterback escapes containment during Josh Allen’s 121-yard rushing performance in Week 5.

Daniels produced 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Giants earlier this season, including a 38-yard scramble.

Aaron Donald and Byron Young must maintain disciplined rushing lanes rather than simply hunting sacks.

The Rams don’t necessarily need five sacks Sunday. They need Daniels uncomfortable, contained and forced to win from the pocket.

Duarte’s Decision

Commanders 27, Rams 21

This has trap game written all over it.

The Rams are riding a two-game winning streak, feeling good about themselves and beginning to look ahead to their bye week in two weeks. Meanwhile, Washington just stunned Philadelphia and finally has some momentum of its own.

The Commanders scored 27 points against the Eagles. Why not do it again?

Full disclosure: I’ve picked against the Rams the past two weeks, and they’ve won both games. I picked them to win their first six, and they lost four.

If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Key stat

31.91%

This is the Commanders third-down conversion rate this season. It ranks 31st out of 32 NFL teams. If the Rams can force Daniels and the Washington offense into obvious passing situations on third down and contain his scrambles, they should control the game. 

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