Rams hold on to beat Commanders, 20-13: Instant analysis of Week 9 win

For the second week in a row, the Los Angeles Rams got off to a sluggish start on offense. They scored just three points in the first quarter against the Washington Commanders, gaining only 149 yards in the first half. After trailing 10-6 at halftime, the Rams once again mounted a comeback and found a rhythm on offense thanks to the rushing attack.Blake Corum provided a spark on the opening drive of the second half, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown to give the Rams their first lead of the day. The defense continued to dominate, as it has for most of the season, keeping Los Angeles in it after a brutally slow start for the second consecutive week.And that was without Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, who are both injured.The Commanders wouldn't go away, staying within one score all day, but the Rams found a way to win, as they have several times this season when they haven't had their best. They overcame an ugly interception by Matthew Stafford, holding Washington to a field goal on the ensuing drive before going down and scoring a touchdown of their own on their next possession.Myles Garrett's return was big for the defense, as he had three sacks and a forced fumble in the game, two of them coming in the fourth quarter. And even when the offense stalled, the defense stepped up time and time again. They survived a valiant comeback attempt by the Commanders late in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win.Puka Nacua carried the offense with 150 yards receiving and 20 yards rushing, but the defense was particularly impressive, holding the Commanders to 312 yards and allowing just three conversions on 12 third-down attempts. It wasn't a perfect win, but the important thing is the Rams are now 5-4 with one game left before the bye.Final score: Rams 20, Commanders 13Numbers to know3: It took until late in the third quarter for the Rams to make their first third-down conversion of the game, going 3-for-14.8: The Rams' penalty problems continue, as they were flagged eight times for 60 yards. 3: Myles Garrett had three sacks in his first game since Week 1. The Rams had just 12 sacks as a team coming into this game.44: The Rams only allowed 44 yards rushing to the Commanders' running backs, and just 60 total yards rushing including Daniels' 16.It was over when…... the Commanders' final play finished short of the end zone after a catch and lateral by Chig Okonkwo, which ended with a recovery by the Rams.3 stars of the gamePuka Nacua: 14 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD. 2 carries, 20 yards.Myles Garrett: 3 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumbleBlake Corum: 11 carries, 58 yards, 1 TDPlay of the gameNacua's go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter wasn't just a big play in the game. It was an all-around terrific play by the star receiver. He went up and grabbed the pass from Stafford, fighting off the defender in the corner of the end zone to put the Rams on top, 20-13.INSANE TOUCHDOWN CATCH FROM PUKA NACUA 🤯📺 @NFLonFOX | #RamsHousepic.twitter.com/2cNavRnTCJ— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 8, 2026What's next?The Rams will be back on the road again in Week 10, but they'll be closer to home after traveling across the country to Landover. They'll visit the Cardinals in Glendale in a rematch of their stunning Week 6 loss at home to Arizona. Now above .500, the Rams will try to keep the momentum going in Week 10 by beating the Cardinals and going into their bye at 6-4.This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams hold on to beat Commanders, 20-13: Instant analysis of Week 9 win