Can the Washington Commanders pull off the upset? We seemingly ask this question every week, as the Commanders can’t stop anyone. Washington has allowed 90 points in its last two games, combining to lose 90-25.
This week’s challenge is the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Sean McVay has his Rams ahead of schedule after what looked like a potential rebuild. At 6-7, L.A. is tied with four other teams in contention for the final two NFC Wild Card spots.
Washington quarterback Sam Howell has been up and down over the past three weeks after the best three-game stretch of his career. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a late addition to the injury report Saturday with a groin injury.
So, can the Commanders pull off the upset? Here are our staff picks for Week 15.
Bryan Manning
The Commanders face another stiff test on Sunday in the Rams. Washington is facing Los Angeles at the wrong time. The Rams have been red-hot offensively in recent weeks, with QB Matthew Stafford throwing 10 TD passes in the last three games. Stafford has excelled against the Browns and Ravens, two of the NFL’s best defenses.
So, what will he do vs. Washington?
I think the Commanders will move the ball offensively, but there is no way they can keep up with the Rams. Ultimately, it ends as another double-digit loss for Washington.
Rams 31, Commanders 20
Ivan Lambert
The Commanders have played with a lack of intensity in recent games that suggest several players would rather be golfing now. The Dolphins could have easily scored over 50 points, Dallas accumulated 45, and the lowly Giants defeated the Commanders at home by 12 points.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald has generated 13 tackles for a loss, 6 quarterback sacks and 21 quarterback hits. The Commanders’ interior linemen better raise their level of play, or Donald will have a field day of meeting Sam Howell in the backfield often.
The Commanders pass defense has been woeful this season. The Rams’ Matthew Stafford has passed for four, three and three touchdown passes in the last three games, and the last two were against the Browns and Ravens defenses. I would love to see the Commanders pass defense play much better Sunday, but where is the evidence to cause us to believe this is even possible?
The Rams receivers trio of Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Tutu Atwell are going to enjoy a very successful day if the Commanders don’t generate a consistent pass rush, hurrying Stafford.
Rams 34, Commanders 17
Sammy Mansfield
The Commanders are 4-9 coming out of their late Week 14 bye week and heading to LA to face the 6-7 Rams. Washington has lost four in a row, including the last two, by a combined score of 90-25. While technically not eliminated from the playoffs, the recent losing streak has ensured a fourth consecutive non-winning final record under head coach and front-office leader Ron Rivera.
Over the last month, Matthew Stafford has been playing some of the best football of his career and looking like his former self again, leading the Ram’s offense. That trend should continue today as Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua face off against the worst pass defense in the NFL.
On the other side of the ball, news broke yesterday that All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald was downgraded to questionable for today’s game, dealing with groin tightness.
Donald’s potential absence would certainly help ease the pressure on Howell and the offense, but with Brian Robinson out with a hamstring injury and the defense playing as poorly as it has been, I’m not sure the Commanders will be able to score enough points to keep up in this one.
Rams 28, Commanders 17
