Puka Nacua Dominates Washington Commanders, Fall 20-13 vs. Rams

In a game they needed to have, the Washington Commanders fell short against the Los Angeles Rams, falling 20-13 to move to 2-5-1 overall.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed nearly 69% of his passes for 273 yards and one touchdown, while wide receiver Van Jefferson led the team with 58 receiving yards.

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who presented a clear challenge going into kickoff, recorded a season-high 150 receiving yards and one touchdown on 14 catches and 19 targets.

Washington's opening drive spanned nearly six minutes and set up Drew Stevens with a 37 yard field goal, an encouraging start yet frustrating end given a third flag against the Rams was picked up. Los Angeles countered with a 14 play drive spanning nearly seven minutes, enough to set up a 33 yard field goal to tie the game at three.

Running back Rachaad White opened the second quarter with a 45 yard screen, setting the offense up with its first redzone opportunity. One play later, Daniels connected with wide receiver Van Jefferson on a slant into the endzone, marking Jefferson's first score of the season and cementing the strong start for the Commanders' offense to move ahead, 10-3.

Washington nearly took all momentum after K'Lavon Chaisson forced his third fumble of the season, this time a punch out on wide receiver Puka Nacua, but it materialized into nothing further. Two plays later, quarterback Jayden Daniels was stripped by edge rusher Myles Garrett with the Rams picking up the loose ball ahead of the two minute warning. The defense held quarterback Matthew Stafford to force a 20 yard field goal to close the first half, sending Washington into the locker room with a 10-6 lead.

The Rams were able to able to punch back to begin the second half with an eight play, 69 yard drive capped off by Blake Corum punching in a one yard touchdown, putting Washington behind, 13-10.

While under six minutes left in the third quarter, safety Nick Cross reeled in his first interception as a Commander to set the offense up outside of the redzone. Yet it only proved to be enough to set Drew Stevens up with his second field goal of the day, this time a 41 yard attempt, that tied the game at 13.

The Rams answered back with an efficient drive through the air after completing five of seven attempts to drive inside the Commanders' ten yard line before Stafford connected with Puka Nacua for a touchdown over Trey Amos in the corner of the endzone, pushing Washington behind, 20-13, in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Washington would get three more chances to tie the game, including a drive that spilled inside the final two minutes that marked the last chance. After starting inside their own 15 yard line, Jayden Daniels led the offense into Rams' territory after connecting with Van Jefferson for a 21 yard gain. Yet it came to a scratching halt after Myles Garrett registered his third sack of the day on third down, forcing the offense into a 4th-and-17 that ended in a failed conversion attempt.

With 52 seconds left and no timeouts, Washington got the ball once more as Daniels drove the offense down to the Rams' 31 yard line on a drive highlighted by a 42 yard catch by Stefon Diggs, but it materialized into nothing further after a quick completion to tight end Chig Okonkwo nearly 20 yards away from the endzone cemented the first loss at Northwest Stadium in 2026.

Lucas Patrick was also ruled out with a concussion to begin the second half, leading rookie Matt Gulbin to replace him at center over Nick Allegretti.

Washington will now look to bounce back when they face the New York Giants on the road on Thursday night.