The Washington Commanders are a formidable opponent for the Los Angeles Rams this week, despite their unimpressive 2-4-1 record. They've played some good football and have overcome a number of injuries to stay afloat in the NFC East, and now look to upset the Rams at home in Landover.
Winning these five matchups will go a long way toward the Rams winning the game.
DB Quentin Lake vs. WR Stefon Diggs
Trent McDuffie's status is up in the air, which means Lake may need to play in the slot more. That sets him up for a matchup with Diggs, the Commanders' top receiver. Diggs will line up outside, as well as in the slot, but he's most dangerous when aligned inside where he has more field to work with.
Jayden Daniels is going to target Diggs often, which means it could be a busy day once
again for Lake.
DT Aaron Donald vs. RG Sam Cosmi
Cosmi has been the Commanders' best lineman, allowing only four pressures in five games played. It won't be an easy matchup for him on Sunday with Donald lined up on the other side, but that's what makes this such an intriguing battle. It's good on good, and the winner of this matchup will have a major impact on the success of Washington's offense.
Whether Myles Garrett plays or not, the Rams need Donald to play well on the interior with Poona Ford and Kobie Turner out.
RBs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum vs. LB Sonny Styles
Styles has lived up to the hype as a top-10 pick by the Commanders, having a big impact on defense as a run defender and in coverage. His athleticism and speed will limit the damage Los Angeles' backs can do on off-tackle runs, unless they can make him miss in the open field and pick up yards after contact.
Given the importance of the Rams' run game to the offense's overall success, it's essential that Williams and Corum continue to have the success they've had lately.
WR Puka Nacua vs. CB Amik Robertson
With Davante Adams still on the shelf, the Rams' passing game will once again go through Nacua. Robertson isn't exclusively an outside cornerback, so he'll move inside to match up with Nacua at times, too. And while Robertson is a quality corner who's allowing receptions on just 63% of the passes thrown his way, Nacua is a mismatch for any defender.
Now that he's even further removed from his calf injury, we could see a more explosive version of Nacua this week.
LT Alaric Jackson vs. OLB K'Lavon Chaisson
Chaisson leads the Commanders with 22 pressures, per PFF, and he's coming off a game where he had a sack and four QB hits against the Eagles. He's a defender who flips sides often, so Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr. will both have to block him, but Jackson needs to prevent Chaisson from winning on the back side and coming away with a strip-sack on Matthew Stafford.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 key matchups that will decide Rams vs. Commanders on Sunday
