Washington Commanders' Result vs. Rams Will Impact Two Storylines

The Washington Commanders kept their season alive last week, but their Week 9 matchup against the LA Rams could heavily impact their season goals and approach at the NFL Trade Deadline.

Every week will feel like a “must-win game” from here on out, and that’s a hole they dug themselves into with a 2-4-1 record heading into their game against the Rams. Will the Commanders have a shot at the playoffs, and will Adam Peters want to be more aggressive at the NFL Trade Deadline if they win? Those are the biggest questions that will be answered after Sunday.

A brutal 2026 season for the NFC East somehow has the Commanders alive and in control of their own destiny, despite being third in the division. Heading into the Rams game, the Commanders have a 13% chance of making the playoffs, according to The Athletic NFL Playoff Simulator. If the Commanders beat the Rams, their chances rise to 21%, but drop to just 9% with a loss. 

Of course, the NFC East matchup against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football has the biggest impact on their playoff chances, but their results against the Rams make that game even more important. Anything is possible with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, and the playoffs are the only reason you play the games every week.

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants still have a tough schedule ahead, and the opportunity is there for the Commanders to take, but they have to start winning and play with urgency. A win against the Rams keeps their season alive, and the media will look at the Commanders to see if they make a move at the NFL Trade Deadline.

The Commanders are a team that the national media has already had an eye on, with them in an interesting position ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline. There are already plenty of reports about how the Commanders have been actively checking in on WR options at the deadline, and also about how DT Daron Payne could’ve been on the move before his season-ending foot injury.

So the question remains: Should the Commanders be buyers, sellers, neither, or both before the deadline on Tuesday? A win could push them to continue looking for help at WR, especially with Terry McLaurin out for the season, Treylon Burks dealing with a foot injury, and Dyami Brown dealing with a calf injury that General Manager Adam Peters said “didn’t look good”.

The Commanders have been linked to Colts WR Josh Downs, who is just 25 years old, and could likely be had for a 4th-round pick before Tuesday. Downs requested a trade, with a reset underway for the Colts, and he’s likely dealt after Sunday.

Downs plays primarily in the slot, and Antonio Williams has played mostly on the outside this season, and he’s thrived there, as he did in 2024 with the Clemson Tigers.

Trading for a young player at a value makes a lot more sense than rolling the dice on a struggling player like Brian Thomas Jr., who the Jaguars are asking a high price for if a trade even happens. 

But what about players who could be traded away? Multiple reporters have linked players such as K’Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Mike Sainristil, and Andrew Wylie as names to watch if the Commanders decide to sell. The Commanders are unlikely to net anything but a Day-3 pick for those players, but a trade is still worth considering if the player isn’t in their plans moving forward.

The Commanders have a lot on the line once again on Sunday, and the season could take many different turns if they can get the win against the Rams, and maybe a shakeup to the roster as well.