The Los Angeles Rams beat the Washington Commanders 20-13 at Northwest Stadium, and the difference was on fourth down and on the ground. The Rams went 3-for-3 on fourth down and ran for 124 yards, while Washington managed 1 rushing first down all afternoon.
That fourth-down perfection mattered because the Rams were poor on third down, converting 3 of 14. Washington was no better at 3 of 12 and failed on its only fourth-down try. When both offenses stalled, Los Angeles kept going for it and kept moving the chains.
How It Happened
Washington struck first when Drew Stevens hit a 37-yard field goal at 9:07 of the first quarter. Brandon McManus answered with a 33-yarder at 2:10 to tie it.
The Commanders went back in front early in the second quarter. Jayden Daniels found Van Jefferson for a 7-yard touchdown at 14:00. McManus closed the half with a 20-yard field goal as time expired, and Washington took a narrow lead into the break.
Los Angeles took its first lead at 11:29 of the third, when Blake Corum punched in a 1-yard run. Stevens tied it again with a 41-yard field goal at 3:24 of the third.
The winner came early in the fourth. Matthew Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a 7-yard touchdown at 12:51, and neither team scored again.
Key Performers
Puka Nacua (LAR): 7 YD TD reception from Matthew Stafford, Q4 12:51
Blake Corum (LAR): 1 YD TD rush, Q3 11:29
Brandon McManus (LAR): 33 YD and 20 YD field goals, plus both extra points
Rams rushing: 29 ATT, 124 YDS, 4.3 per carry
Rams passing: 26-43, 219 YDS, 1 INT
Jayden Daniels (WSH): 7 YD TD pass to Van Jefferson, Q2 14:00
Drew Stevens (WSH): 37 YD and 41 YD field goals, 1 extra point
Commanders passing: 24-35, 253 YDS, 0 INT, sacked 4 times for 21 YDS
Commanders rushing: 19 ATT, 60 YDS, 3.2 per carry
Washington was actually the more efficient offense per snap, at 5.4 yards per play to the Rams' 4.7. But the Commanders ran 58 plays to the Rams' 73, and a run game that produced so little left the passing attack carrying everything. Four sacks on top of that made sustained drives hard to come by.
The Rams won despite sloppiness of their own. They were flagged 10 times for 70 yards, against Washington's 6 for 39, and turnovers finished even with 2 apiece. Washington lost both of its giveaways on fumbles.
What It Means
The Rams move to 5-4, and the road continues to suit them. They are now 3-1 away from home, against 2-3 at home. A team that wins more often in other teams' stadiums than in its own has an unusual profile, and this was another example of it.
Washington falls to 2-5-1. Home has been where the Commanders have done all of their winning, since they are 0-3 on the road, so dropping one at Northwest Stadium stings. Their home mark now sits at 2-2-1.
The takeaway for Washington is the run game. A team that cannot get more than 1 first down on the ground is asking its passing attack to do everything, and on Sunday it fell one score short.