The Los Angeles Rams beat the Washington Commanders 20-13 on Sunday in Landover, getting a go-ahead touchdown catch from Puka Nacua with 12:51 left in the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford found Nacua for a 7-yard score that put Los Angeles ahead for good after Washington had tied the game twice.
Nacua finished with 14 catches for 150 yards and the decisive touchdown on 19 targets. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 26 of 43 passes for 228 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 274 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-35 passing in the loss.
Takeaways From Rams’ Win Over Commanders
Fourth-quarter finish decided a tight game
Neither team led by more than four points through three quarters. Washington’s Drew Stevens tied the game at 13-13 with a 41-yard field goal early in the third quarter before Stafford and Nacua connected for the eventual winning score in the fourth. Brandon McManus added the extra point to make it 20-13, and the Commanders never found the end zone again.
Rams’ fourth-down aggression paid off
Los Angeles converted all three of its fourth-down attempts, going 3-for-3 on the day. That efficiency helped offset a sluggish third-down performance, where the Rams converted just 3 of 14 opportunities. Washington was not much better on third down, converting 3 of 12.
Turnovers canceled each other out
Both teams finished with two turnovers. Stafford threw an interception and the Rams lost a fumble from Puka Nacua, while Washington lost two fumbles, one each from Rachaad White and Jayden Daniels. The turnover battle was even, but Los Angeles still out-gained Washington on total yards, 343 to 313, despite running 73 plays to Washington’s 58.
Player Of The Game: Puka Nacua
Nacua’s final line read 14 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets, numbers that accounted for more than two-thirds of Stafford’s passing output. His 7-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter put the Rams ahead for the final time.
Rams Vs. Commanders By The Numbers
Los Angeles finished with 22 first downs to Washington’s 16. The Rams ran 73 plays for 343 total yards (228 passing, 124 rushing) while holding Washington to 313 yards on 58 plays (274 passing, 60 rushing). Blake Corum rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries with a 1-yard touchdown.
Frankie Luvu led Washington’s defense with 15 tackles and a sack. The Commanders were penalized six times for 39 yards compared to 10 penalties for 70 yards against Los Angeles.
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