The Washington Commanders head into Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams carrying real momentum from their 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and there are a few clear reasons they can feel good about where things stand heading into Week 9 at Northwest Stadium.
The biggest one starts with Jayden Daniels. Washington’s offense looked far more dangerous with him steering the ship, and his line against Philadelphia backed that up: 16 completions on 29 attempts for 217 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions. Treylon Burks was part of the spark, hauling in three catches for 81 yards, including a 53-yard gain that flashed what this group can do when it lands an explosive play.
Daniels also helped put together one of the game’s most encouraging drives. He completed five of six passes on the march, added a 14-yard scramble, and then hit Stefon Diggs for an eight-yard touchdown.
That sequence showed how his arm and legs can work together to stress a defense. Against the Rams, Washington will want more of that kind of rhythm and less dependence on isolated chunk gains.
Daniels still has room to raise his completion rate, but the touchdown drive gave the Commanders something concrete to build on.
There’s also a path for Washington on the ground. The Commanders come in ninth in the NFL with 126.6 rushing yards per game, while Los Angeles is 14th against the run at 109.3 yards allowed per game.
Rachaad White gave Washington a useful lift against Philadelphia, finishing with 55 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. His 33-yard run was the kind of burst that can flip field position in a hurry, and Washington’s 135 rushing yards in that game showed the offense can move the ball even when it isn’t living off Daniels alone.
That matters because a steady run game can simplify third downs and open up play-action. It can also help Washington control the pace and keep Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense on the sideline.
And then there’s the defense, which gave Washington a lot to like in the win over Philadelphia. The Commanders piled up five sacks, including one that led to a fumble recovery deep in Eagles territory. Rasul Douglas added an interception on a fourth-down throw, and Washington finished the game with 27 unanswered points.
The turnover numbers point in the same direction. Washington enters the week tied for the league lead with a plus-seven turnover differential, while Los Angeles sits at minus-four.
That kind of edge can swing a game if the Commanders protect the ball and keep making opponents pay for mistakes. Stafford will make the pass rush earn everything, and Washington can’t count on another five-sack outing automatically showing up.
But after what the defense just did, the Commanders have every reason to believe they can make this one interesting.
In Other News...
Commanders Get A Big Chance To Prove Last Week Was Real
The Commanders get a quick chance to show whether last week was a true turning point when they return home to face the Rams at Northwest Stadium in Landover. Washingtons win over the Eagles gave the team a jolt of momentum, and now the challenge is backing it up against another opponent coming in with confidence after the Rams handled the Chargers.
It is the kind of matchup that can tell you a lot about where a team really stands this time of year, especially when the calendar turns and every result starts carrying a little more weight. Fans who cant make it to the stadium will be able to catch it on local FOX stations, with Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Jen Hale on the call. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Defense Just Set A New Standard Fans Will Demand
The Commanders defense delivered one of its sharpest outings of the season against Philadelphia, setting the tone early and never letting the Eagles find much rhythm after the opening quarter. Washington piled up a season-high in pressures and finished with five sacks, a disruptive night that helped keep the Eagles to 10 points and gave the offense plenty of breathing room.
Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee was held to 212 passing yards, and Saquon Barkley was bottled up for just 30 rushing yards as the Eagles struggled to sustain drives. For a Washington defense that has been searching for a standard to build on, this was the kind of complete performance that can change expectations, especially with the way it shut the door after the first quarter. [Read more 🡒]
Shy Tuttle Suddenly Carries A Huge Role In Washingtons Final Stretch
With the Commanders trying to steady their defense in the final stretch, Shy Tuttle has suddenly become a much bigger part of the rotation. Season-ending injuries have thinned Washingtons interior line, and Tuttle has responded with more snaps and a noticeable uptick in production, showing up around the ball with tackles and even getting home for a sack.
For a team still trying to hold things together on defense, that matters. Washington does not have much margin for error up front, so Tuttles recent play has given the staff a useful answer while the rest of the depth chart gets stretched thinner. The question now is how much more the Commanders can ask of him as the season winds down. [Read more 🡒]