The Washington Commanders bought themselves some breathing room by knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles, but the next test feels even more revealing. A win over the Los Angeles Rams this weekend would not just be another good result - it could reshape the conversation around head coach Dan Quinn and the second half of 2026.
That’s a tall order. The Rams come in at 4-4, not quite living up to Super Bowl expectations, but they still look like a team loaded with answers.
Sean McVay has playmakers all over the field, and after a shaky start, they’ve started to settle in. Washington is the underdog for a reason.
Still, this one has a little more intrigue than the record suggests. Los Angeles is making the cross-country trip for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and that gives the Commanders a real shot to keep things tight at Northwest Stadium.
The injury situation isn’t helping Washington, but that’s hardly unfamiliar territory. The Commanders have been forced into next-man-up mode before, and they’ll need that same approach again if they want to keep the momentum rolling against one of the league’s more complete teams.
With that in mind, there are seven Commanders who enter this game with extra pressure on their shoulders. One of the biggest is Rachaad White.
Trade chatter continues to swirl around Washington’s running back room, with rumors that the Commanders could look to add another back before the 2026 deadline. General manager Adam Petters hasn’t said anything definitive, but how aggressive he gets may depend on whether Washington can pull off an upset here.
That puts White squarely in the spotlight.
He’s back in the lead role with Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve, and while his finish last week was encouraging, there’s still a sense that the run game needs more force and quicker reads. The Commanders need White to put together a full performance, not just a strong stretch at the end.
Austin Ekeler and recent returnee Robert Henry Jr. are also options, but White is still the top choice. The challenge gets tougher from there, too: the Rams have given up just 77.3 rushing yards per game over their last three outings.
If Washington wins and White doesn’t deliver, that could give Peters even more reason to swing big before the deadline. For White, the message is simple: this is the kind of game where the opportunity is right there, and so is the pressure.
In Other News...
Myles Garrett Puts Rams Defensive Momentum To The Test Sunday
Brandon Colemans latest test comes with the kind of edge rush challenge that can change a game plan before it even settles in. The Commanders have leaned on the rookie tackle in a spot where every snap matters, and now he gets a look at Myles Garrett, whose presence alone forces offenses to account for the edge differently. For Washington, this is less about one isolated matchup than about whether Coleman can hold up when the pressure is coming from the leagues most disruptive pass rushers.
The timing makes it even more interesting because the Commanders are trying to keep their offensive rhythm intact while juggling the usual Week 9 injury and strategy questions. Colemans performance against Garrett could shape how much Washington can trust its protection on the perimeter, and that has obvious ripple effects for the rest of the offense. If the tackle can steady the edge, it gives the Commanders a chance to stay on schedule, but if not, Sunday could turn into a long afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Aiyuk May Have Cost Himself A Real Shot With Washington
Brandon Aiyuks NFL future remains unsettled after he applied for reinstatement and met with the 49ers, who have already signaled they do not plan to bring him back. For Washington, the interest had at least been easy enough to understand. Aiyuk has wanted to play for the Commanders, and on paper a receiver of his talent would fit any team trying to keep pace in a loaded NFC.
The problem is that his path to Washington appears to have been damaged long before this latest round of uncertainty. Insider Jeremy Fowler said a past social media incident seriously hurt Aiyuks chances with the Commanders, and the relationship now looks difficult to repair. With his next landing spot still unclear, Washington may be one of the teams that once made sense but no longer does. [Read more 🡒]
Rachaad White Has A Chance To Change Washingtons Trade Deadline Plans
Rachaad White has suddenly become a key figure in Washingtons plans at running back, and the timing matters with Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve and the NFL trade deadline approaching. White has handled the lead role for the Commanders, and while his overall production has been limited, there have been signs lately that he can give the offense something steadier than it has had for much of the season.
The most encouraging stretch came in recent games, including a strong showing against the Los Angeles Rams, which gave Washington at least a little reason to pause before looking outside the roster. The Commanders are still evaluating whether the current group can do enough to keep the backfield from becoming a deadline priority, and Whites next few outings could go a long way toward shaping whether the front office feels pressure to add help. [Read more 🡒]