The Washington Commanders — after preaching “premium awareness” during last week’s practices — couldn’t stop Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua or edge rusher Myles Garrett in Sunday’s 20-13 loss.
Nacua posted 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown while Garrett tallied three sacks in his first game since Week 1.
The Commanders tried to build a cushion in a promising first quarter, but the Rams outclassed them in the final three quarters.
People were interested in these podcasts
Washington opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal on a drive extended by a third-down offside call on Garrett.
But Washington stalled after referees opted not to call a roughing the passer penalty, despite apparent contact to Daniels’ head on a third-down pass, forcing the Commanders to send in kicker Drew Stevens.
The Rams led a similar opening drive, stalling in the red zone before notching their own chip-shot field goal to even the score at 3 at the end of the first quarter.
An opening period of miscues gave way to fireworks in the second quarter, as Washington opened the frame with a 45-yard screen pass to running back Rachaad White. Receiver Van Jefferson caught a seven-yard score on the next play to take a 10-3 lead.
The Commanders’ inconsistent defense stiffened with back-to-back three-and-outs after Los Angeles’ scoring drive. Then, with the Rams driving into Commanders territory, defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson forced the ball out of receiver Puka Nacua’s hands. Safety Nick Cross recovered the loose ball.
The tests continued. Garrett forced a fumble on the next play from scrimmage — a Daniels dropback — to regain possession for Los Angeles.
The Rams ended the first half with another field goal, narrowing the Commanders’ advantage to four points.
Los Angeles came out firing to start the third quarter. Halftime adjustments paid immediate dividends, as quarterback Matthew Stafford led the Rams on an eight-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Blake Corum to take a 13-10 lead.
Washington’s struggles to play a complete game continued. The Commanders scored on each of their first two drives. Their next five possessions featured four punts and a fumble.
The Commanders’ defense needed to hand the offense an assist. They did, with a Cross interception that placed Washington at the Los Angeles 27-yard line.
The Washington attack fell short of the end zone, settling again for a Stevens field goal to tie the game in the final minutes of the third quarter.
The Commanders had no answer for Nacua. He added a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a perfectly thrown seven-yard pass from Stafford in the corner of the end zone as Los Angeles posted a seven-point lead, its largest of the day.
After the two teams exchanged fourth-quarter punts, Washington still had a chance to tie. But Garrett added his third sack on a third down from the Los Angeles 38-yard line. Daniels missed find receiver Van Jefferson on the following fourth-and-17 play.
Daniels finished 24-of-35 passing with 264 yards and a touchdown, but struggled to push the ball downfield without injured receivers Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown or Treylon Burks.
Washington’s rushing attack also struggled with White tallying a team-high 28 yards on seven carries.
The Commanders had a shot at the end of the game. With no timeouts, receiver Stefon Diggs streaked down the field for a 42-yard gain. Daniels was in “Hail Mary” range.
A 12-yard catch by undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley brought it to the 31-yard line. But the magic that defined Daniels’ exceptional 2024 rookie campaign failed to materialize again. A final hook-and-ladder attempt ended short of the goal line.
The Commanders have a short week to recover from the loss. They face the NFC East-leading New York Giants on Thursday night in a pivotal division game.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.