The Washington Commanders head into Sunday afternoon with a straightforward defensive assignment staring them in the face: don’t let Puka Nacua turn routine catches into back-breaking plays.
Washington is trying to string together back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026, and Dan Quinn’s team needs the result to keep its momentum going and its NFC East title hopes alive. The Rams are back to .500, and they’ll also have all-universe edge rusher Myles Garrett back after he returned from knee surgery. But for the Commanders, the biggest issue is the receiver who can wreck a game from anywhere on the field.
With Davante Adams out, Nacua is expected to be fed early and often. He’s already a high-volume target, and Matthew Stafford could look his way as many as 20 times against a Washington defense that has been inconsistent.
The Commanders know they can live with some short gains. What they can’t survive is letting him pile up yards after the catch.
That’s the message Frankie Luvu made clear before the matchup: "No yards after contact"
The Commanders’ focus has to be on stopping Nacua once the ball is in his hands. He’s the Rams’ security blanket, a receiver who keeps finding space and can win contested throws as well as anyone. Washington doesn’t need to erase him completely, but it does need to keep him from breaking tackles and turning ordinary completions into huge chunks.
That responsibility will fall heavily on the second and third levels of the defense. Luvu will be central to the plan, and rookie Sonny Styles is also expected to play a major role whenever Nacua starts his usual punishing runs after the catch.
The Commanders also need Stafford to feel the pressure. He’s thrown eight interceptions this season, and Washington has done a strong job creating takeaways through the first seven games under Jones. If the Rams’ quarterback is forced into mistakes and the rest of the offense has to carry the load, that gives the Commanders a much better chance.
But if Nacua starts breaking tackles and stacking up highlight-reel plays, Washington could be in trouble fast. Keeping him in check would not only help the scoreboard - it would also give the Commanders’ defense a confidence boost it badly needs. When an opposing star makes you look foolish, the damage can spread.
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