The Los Angeles Rams visit the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. ET, with strong gusts forecast in Landover. Wind like that shifts the weight of a game to the ground. That puts Kyren Williams against a Washington run defense playing without defensive tackles Jer'Zhan Newton and Daron Payne, both on injured reserve.
The Matchup
Records: Los Angeles Rams 4-4 (road 2-1); Washington Commanders 2-4-1 (home 2-1-1)
Venue: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
Kickoff: Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Line (DraftKings): LAR -4.5, O/U 47.5
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders tickets
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What Decides It
The wind makes the Rams' run game the matchup that should decide it. The forecast is sunny and dry, but gusty. That is a difficult day to lean on the deep pass, and it pushes both offenses toward the ground.
The Rams run for about 126 yards a game. Washington has held opponents to about 99, so something gives. Kyren Williams has 548 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he gets a Washington front without two of its defensive tackles.
Washington can run too, at nearly 127 yards a game, against a Rams defense allowing about 109. The difference is who carries it: Jayden Daniels is Washington's leading rusher as well as its passer. Asking the quarterback to carry the ground game in the wind is a heavier load than handing it to Williams.
Washington is a home team, and that keeps this closer than the records suggest. The Commanders are 2-1-1 at Northwest Stadium and 0-3 on the road. Every win they have this season came at home, including a 27-10 win over their last opponent.
The Rams travel well. They are 2-1 on the road against 2-3 at home, and they have won their last two, including a 35-21 road win. Washington's home edge is real, but the Rams arrive in better form.
If the ball does go in the air, the Rams have the better hand. Matthew Stafford leads an offense throwing for about 270 yards a game, and Washington allows 260 through the air. The Rams' pass defense gives up about 201, so Washington, already without receivers Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown, faces the tougher coverage.
Players to Watch
Los Angeles Rams
Passing: Matthew Stafford – 204-303, 2,146 YDS, 15-8 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Kyren Williams – 112 ATT, 548 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Puka Nacua – 56 REC, 565 YDS, 3 TD
Washington Commanders
Passing: Jayden Daniels – 91-145, 976 YDS, 6 TD
Rushing: Jayden Daniels – 27 ATT, 236 YDS, 2 TD
Receiving: Antonio Williams – 23 REC, 259 YDS, 1 TD
Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams
Terrance Ferguson (TE): Injured Reserve – Hamstring
Myles Garrett (DE): Injured Reserve – Knee
Joe Cardona (LS): Doubtful – Ankle
Colby Parkinson (TE): Questionable – Ribs
Kam Curl (S): Questionable – Foot
Washington Commanders
Treylon Burks (WR): Out – Foot
Dyami Brown (WR): Out – Calf
Jer'Zhan Newton (DT): Injured Reserve – Pectoral
Daron Payne (DT): Injured Reserve – Foot
Jeremy McNichols (RB): Injured Reserve – Foot
Weather
Forecast: Sunny, 60°F
Wind: Gusts to 31 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Dry conditions, but the gusts are the factor to watch for the passing and kicking games on both sides.
Prediction
The Rams have the steadier defense, allowing 21.0 points a game to Washington's 26.0, and the wind favors the team with the more conventional run game. Washington's home form keeps it close, but Williams wears down a short-handed interior. Rams 23, Commanders 20.