The Los Angeles Rams took on the Washington Commanders on Sunday, walking away with a 20-13 victory. Here are five takeaways from the win.
The offense is not OK and is in desperate need of another receiver
Puka Nacua once again led the way for the passing attack, while the rushing game was good enough to get the Rams over the line, but there isn't this overt feeling of confidence in the unit, unlike their prolific 2025 season.
A big reason is the absence of Davante Adams, but the bigger issue comes down to execution, both from the play caller and quarterback. Sean McVay's screen calls were predictable and ineffective. It's not that he's using it, it's that he can't set the play up like he used to because of the new defensive ideologies.
However, he did scheme up open receivers multiple times, and Stafford simply
missed. Whatever it is, the problem can easily be solved with another receiver via the trade market – Brian Thomas Jr., to be specific. The Rams did say they weren't looking for a trade, but...
Regardless, the offense has reverted to its 2023/2024 form: overly reliant on Nacua and unable to do much more.
Donald and Garrett shine in first game together
Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald debuted for the first time as a duo, and they were excellent. Garrett was once again at his best, recording three sacks and a forced fumble, while Donald added a tackle and five pressures, per PFF. They were collapsing the pocket with ferocity, swarming quarterback Jayden Daniels all day.
If they keep this up, Garrett could garner consideration for Defensive Player of the Year, while Donald should have the opportunities to improve his stats, allowing them to properly reflect his impact.
The special teams were...not awful
They weren't good, especially when a penalty negated a Ronnie Rivers return that would have served as one of the unit's best plays of the season. However, they weren't awful for the first time all season. No major lapses in kick coverage; kicker Brandon McManus was perfect, hitting two field goals and two extra points, and punter Ethan Evans did his work, pinning two points inside the opposing 20, including his final one of the game that pushed Washington too far back to launch a successful game-winning drive.
Plus, Joshua Karty, who does the kickoffs, did not make a mistake with his four attempts.
Welcome back, Emmanuel Forbes
Forbes returned to face the franchise that drafted him in the first round, taking on the coaching staff and front office that waived him in his second season. Make no mistake, the Commanders' fanbase does not like Forbes, and Forbes made it clear that he shares similar feelings for the franchise.
He was picked on all day, even giving up a touchdown to Van Jefferson. However, he didn't let the play linger as he won the majority of targets he faced, while putting some big hits on the opposition. The Commanders tested him late, and he made sure they would not win.
The Rams are winning, even if it's ugly
There's a lot to clean up and fix, but here are the facts. The Rams just secured their third straight win, they have a defense that can work through injuries, and their star players are coming back quickly. Garrett just returned and looked better than any midseason addition in the NFL so far; Terrance Ferguson's return might be around the corner, and both Kobie Turner and Davante Adams are set to come back later in the year.
Good teams win, but championship teams will themselves to victory, regardless of the situation. The special teams might be average enough to win with, and both the offense and the defense can end a game, as long as it's within one possession. Say what you want about McVay, but it's rare his team doesn't have a chance to win at the end of ball games.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 takeaways from the Rams' 20-13 win over the Commanders
