The Los Angeles Rams beat the Washington Commanders 20-13 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Week 9 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Puka Nacua was the star of the game with 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. Myles Garrett made a huge return from a knee procedure with three sacks and a forced fumble. The win moved the Rams to 5-4, their third straight victory and the first time this season they have sat above .500. Washington fell to 2-5-1.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Final score | Los Angeles Rams 20, Washington Commanders 13 |
| Date | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Week | Week 9 |
| Stadium | Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland |
| Rams record | 5-4 |
| Commanders record | 2-5-1 |
| Puka Nacua | 14 catches, 150 yards, 1 touchdown, 19 targets |
| Myles Garrett | 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 3 QB hits, 3 tackles for loss |
| Matthew Stafford | 26 of 43, 228 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception |
| Jayden Daniels | 24 of 35, 264 passing yards, 1 touchdown |
| Rams next game | Arizona Cardinals |
Puka Nacua Carries the Rams Offense
Puka Nacua was the difference in this game. The Rams wide receiver caught 14 passes on a team-high 19 targets for 150 yards and one touchdown. He also added two carries for 20 rushing yards. It was the kind of performance that takes over a game, and the Rams needed every bit of it.
Nacua has become the one steady option in the Los Angeles passing game while Davante Adams has been out, and defenses know the ball is going to him but still cannot stop it.
His biggest play came with 12:51 left in the fourth quarter. The score was tied 13-13, and the Rams needed someone to make a play. Stafford threw a seven-yard pass toward the back corner of the end zone. Nacua went up in traffic, wrestled the ball away from a defender, and came down with the touchdown.
The catch broke the tie and gave the Rams a 20-13 lead they would not give up. With Adams out, the Rams offense has leaned on Nacua more than ever, and this game proved that he can carry that weight. He did lose a fumble during the game, one of two turnovers by the Rams, but he answered it with the game-winning touchdown.
Myles Garrett Dominates in His Return
While Nacua led the offense, Myles Garrett led the defense in his first game back after a knee procedure. Garrett recorded three sacks, one forced fumble, three quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. It was a full return to form for one of the most feared pass rushers in the league.
Coming back from knee surgery is never simple for a defensive lineman, and the first game back often comes with rust or a slow start. Garrett showed none of that. He was active from the start, beating blockers and pressuring Jayden Daniels all afternoon.
The three sacks told the story, but the quarterback hits and tackles for loss showed how often Garrett was in the backfield. Washington had to account for him on every snap, and that attention opened room for his teammates.
The forced fumble was another reminder of what Garrett brings. He does not just bring the quarterback down. He attacks the ball, and that kind of play can change a game in one moment.
Garrett had missed time because of the knee procedure, and his return gives the Rams defense a different look. A healthy Garrett changes how offenses plan, and his three sacks against Washington were proof that he is back to full strength.
Matthew Stafford and the Turning Points
Matthew Stafford finished 26 of 43 for 228 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The numbers were solid but not spectacular. The story of his day was how the game turned on a few key plays.
The low point came when Stafford forced a pass toward Nacua in double coverage on third-and-15. Washington safety Nick Cross picked it off, and the Commanders used the turnover to tie the game at 13-13. It was the kind of throw Stafford would want back. Nacua was covered, and the interception gave Washington life.
But Stafford answered, leading the drive that ended with Nacua’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Blake Corum also played a part in the scoring. He ran for a one-yard touchdown to cap an eight-play, 69-yard drive. The short touchdown run showed the Rams could finish a long drive on the ground, and it gave the offense balance on a day when the passing game carried most of the load.
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders Fight Back
Washington did not go away quietly. Jayden Daniels went 24 of 35 for 264 passing yards and a touchdown. He kept the Commanders in the game with accurate throws and smart decisions, even while Garrett and the Rams defense pressured him.
Daniels gave Washington a chance to win. After the interception by Cross tied the game at 13-13, the Commanders had momentum, but the Washington offense could not finish the job in the fourth quarter.
The Rams defense held Washington to 312 total yards and allowed just three conversions on 12 third-down attempts. Washington moved the ball at times, but it could not stay on the field when it mattered.
Washington fell to 2-5-1 with the loss. The record shows a team that has struggled to close out games. Daniels played well enough to win on this day, but the Commanders could not match the Rams in the final minutes. For Daniels, the performance was another sign of growth. He threw for 264 yards against a defense that featured a returning Garrett, and he gave his team a real chance. But in the NFL, chances do not count. Wins do.
A Sloppy Win That Still Counts
The Rams won this game despite playing far from their best football. They went just 3-for-14 on third down, turned the ball over twice, and committed 10 penalties. Any one of those numbers can lose a game.
But the Rams won anyway. Good teams find ways to win ugly games, and the Rams did it with big plays from their stars. Nacua’s 150 yards and touchdown covered up a lot of mistakes.
Going 3-for-14 means the Rams could not stay on the field, and the offense had to rely on big plays instead of steady drives. Ten flags also slow down an offense, kill drives, and give the other team free yards. The Rams got away with it against Washington, but they may not get away with it every week.
Still, a win is a win, and this one meant more than most. It was the third straight victory for the Rams. It moved them above .500 for the first time this season. It showed that even on a sloppy day, they have players who can take over a game.
Week 9 gave fans plenty to talk about across the league. The same weekend saw a huge individual night from Victor Wembanyama, who put up 52 points, 24 rebounds and 8 blocks against the Mavericks, a game that had basketball fans buzzing. The NFL action in Madrid was also a highlight, as the Bengals beat the Falcons 34-17 in Madrid on November 8. And on Monday night, the Bears beat the Seahawks 34-17 to close out the week.
What Comes Next for the Rams
The Rams face the Arizona Cardinals next week in a rematch. That game will be a test of whether this three-game winning streak is real. The Cardinals will have a plan for Nacua after watching what he did to Washington. The Rams will need other players to step up. If Adams returns soon, the offense will get even harder to stop, since a healthy Adams next to Nacua gives Stafford two top options that defenses cannot double both of.
The defense will also look to build on this performance. Garrett is back, and the unit held Washington to 312 yards. The key will be cutting down the penalties and getting better on third down.
For the Commanders, the focus turns to fixing the finish. They tied the game at 13-13 and had a real chance to win at home, but they could not close it out. At 2-5-1, their season is slipping away, and they need wins soon.
The Rams, on the other hand, are moving in the right direction. They are 5-4, above .500 for the first time this season, and riding a three-game winning streak. The win over Washington was not pretty, but it counted the same as any other.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Rams vs Commanders?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Washington Commanders 20-13 in Week 9 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
How many catches did Puka Nacua have against the Commanders?
Puka Nacua caught 14 passes on 19 targets for 150 yards and one touchdown. He also had two carries for 20 rushing yards. His touchdown was a seven-yard catch in the back corner of the end zone with 12:51 left in the fourth quarter that broke a 13-13 tie.
How did Myles Garrett do in his return from injury?
Myles Garrett returned from a knee procedure and recorded three sacks, one forced fumble, three quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss in his first game back. It was a dominant return for the Rams pass rusher.
What are the Rams and Commanders records after this game?
The Rams improved to 5-4 with their third straight win, moving above .500 for the first time this season. The Commanders fell to 2-5-1. The Rams play the Arizona Cardinals next week in a rematch.
Sources
- TheRams.com – Game Recap: Puka Nacua’s 150 Receiving Yards, Myles Garrett’s 3 Sacks Help Rams Defeat Commanders 20-13
- NBC Sports – Myles Garrett Picks Up 3.0 Sacks in Return, Rams Beat Commanders 20-13
- NY Post – Myles Garrett Dominates in Return as Rams Rally Past Commanders for Third Straight Win
Final Thoughts
The Rams beat the Commanders 20-13 in a game that was messy, tense, and decided by star players. Puka Nacua caught 14 passes for 150 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a contested catch in the corner of the end zone. Myles Garrett returned from a knee procedure with three sacks and a forced fumble. Matthew Stafford shook off an interception to lead the winning drive.
The Rams were far from perfect. They went 3-for-14 on third down, turned it over twice, and committed 10 penalties. But they won their third straight game and moved above .500 for the first time this season. That is what good teams do. They win the games they should win, even when they do not play their best.
