The Washington Commanders get another shot at home in Week 9, and this one comes with plenty on the line. At 2-4-1, they’re the team that needs a win most when the Los Angeles Rams visit Northwest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Washington is coming off a 27-10 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles, a result that flashed real promise even if some will discount it because of Philadelphia’s six-game skid. Still, the Commanders did what they had to do against a starting defense, and Jayden Daniels helped guide them to a much-needed bounce-back performance.
They’ll have to try to build on that without two more receivers. Treylon Burks has been ruled out with a foot injury, and Dyami Brown is out with a calf issue.
The Rams arrive at 4-4, trying to climb back above .500 after entering the season with Super Bowl expectations. Matthew Stafford, last season’s NFL MVP, has thrown more interceptions this year, and that has hurt Los Angeles in the turnover battle. The Rams will also have DE Myles Garrett back for the first time since Week 1.
Washington is a 4.5-point home underdog, and the path to an upset looks straightforward enough: play a full game, not just a strong half or a hot stretch. The Commanders showed enough last week to suggest they can hang around, but Sean McVay’s team is coming in with the kind of structure that usually makes life difficult on the road.
Kickoff is set for November 8th, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. FOX will carry the game, with Chris Myers on play-by-play, Mark Schlereth as analyst, and Jen Hale on the sideline.
On radio, the Commanders broadcast will air on Big 100 via iHeart Radio, with Bram Weinstein, London Fletcher, and Logan Paulsen on the call. Spanish coverage features Moisés Linares and Juan Romero. Sirius XM listings include Los Angeles on XM/SXM 268, Internet 818, and Washington on XM/SXM 195, Internet 831.
The game is also available on Fox One, NFL+, fuboTV, and YouTube NFL Sunday Ticket.
FanDuel lists Los Angeles at -235, Washington at +194, with the over/under at 47.5. Scott Jennings picked the Rams 26-19, while Scott Bair went with Los Angeles 21-14.
Washington’s season has already taken plenty of turns. The Commanders opened with a 24-22 loss at Philadelphia, dropped a 37-20 game at Dallas, beat Seattle 33-31 at home, lost 30-13 to Indianapolis in London, tied the Giants 27-27, fell 23-17 at San Francisco, had a bye in Week 7, and then knocked off Philadelphia 27-10 in Week 8. After the Rams, they head to the Giants on Thursday night in Week 10 before a stretch that includes Cincinnati, Arizona, Tennessee, Houston, Atlanta, Minnesota, Jacksonville, and Dallas.
In Other News...
Commanders Get A Needed Boost As Receiver Pressure Suddenly Builds
The Commanders got a welcome reinforcement on the defensive line this week, activating Johnny Newton for the upcoming game against the Rams. It is the kind of roster move that can matter in a hurry for a team trying to keep its front seven steady, especially as the season starts to put more strain on depth across the board.
At the same time, the receiver room took a hit with Dyami Brown landing on injured reserve, a setback that will keep him out from Week 9 through Week 12. Washington also elevated rookie Jaden Bradley from the practice squad to the active roster, a sign the team is looking for immediate help and trying to keep the passing-game rotation from thinning out any further. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face An Awkward Mike Sainristil Question At Trade Deadline
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated put a couple of Commanders names into the conversation, including Mike Sainristil and Dorance Armstrong. For Washington, the Sainristil mention is the more awkward one, because he was a 2024 second-round pick and arrived with real expectations after a strong start to his pro career.
Sainristils role has changed this season as his performance has dipped, and he has been working mostly on special teams. Even with that downturn, Washington has not opened trade talks involving him and still wants to keep developing him, which leaves the front office with a familiar deadline dilemma: listen to outside interest, or stay patient with a young player it still believes in. [Read more 🡒]
Adam Peters Faces A Defining Call As Commanders Hit A Crossroads
The Commanders are heading toward a stretch that could shape how aggressively Adam Peters approaches the 2026 trade deadline, and a lot may depend on whether the team can steady itself in the coming weeks. Washingtons roster has already been thinned by injuries at several spots, leaving the front office with a clearer view of where the depth concerns are and how much help might be needed if the season stays on track.
A key game against the Rams looms as part of that evaluation, with playoff hopes still tied to how the Commanders respond to the pressure around them. Peters has been measured since taking over the roster, but this is the kind of moment where a general manager has to decide whether to stand pat, add around the edges or push harder if the team shows it can remain in the hunt. [Read more 🡒]