The Washington Commanders head into Week 9 with a chance to land a real punch. A win over the Los Angeles Rams at Northwest Stadium would not only count as a statement on the field, but could also nudge general manager Adam Peters toward a more aggressive stance before the 2026 trade deadline.
That’s the upside. The challenge is obvious.
Los Angeles has started to settle in over the past few games, and its offense has looked more balanced with the run game doing more of the heavy lifting. Washington, meanwhile, is dealing with a long list of injuries to important pieces. Still, with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, this matchup may be tighter than it first appears.
Here are four bold Commanders predictions for Sunday.
Johnny Newton makes his return count
Washington has already lost Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw for the season, but Johnny Newton is set to rejoin the defensive front after missing the year with a torn pectoral. Nobody should expect him to be thrown straight into the deep end, but there should be chances for him to make an impact.
The Commanders will likely ease him in, using him as an interior pass-rushing presence in the right spots. If his first game back ends with a sack, that would be a strong first step in his comeback.
Antonio Williams gets 10 catches
With Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown both out in Week 9, the Commanders’ passing game is even thinner than usual. That puts more on third-round rookie Antonio Williams, who has been drawing more attention lately as his role grows.
The Rams have their own issues at cornerback. Jaylen Watson is out, and Trent McDuffie did not practice all week because of a back complication. That opens a door for Washington to attack the matchup, and if Williams sees enough targets, the Clemson product can do damage.
Nick Cross piles up 12-plus tackles
If Washington wants to slow down the Rams, the tackling has to be sharp. Los Angeles does a lot of damage after the catch and after contact, so the Commanders’ defenders will need to finish plays.
Nick Cross looks like a major piece of that plan. The former Maryland standout has been a strong offseason addition, and he’s bringing real value against the run while also moving around the second and third levels of the defense. His work in the middle of the field will matter, and a huge tackle total would fit the moment.
The Commanders pull off the upset
The Rams have plenty of talent, but they have not matched preseason expectations so far. At 4-4, they’ve underachieved, and the cross-country trip for a 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff is never simple for a West Coast team.
Washington is the underdog, no question. At 2-4-1, the Commanders are still trying to steady themselves.
But there’s also something to be said for playing with less weight on your shoulders. If the Commanders can keep the building energized and make the game uncomfortable, they have a real chance to steal it.
It could certainly go the other way. Still, the final bold call here is that Washington shocks the Rams in a Week 9 thriller.
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 🡒]