The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Washington Commanders 20-13 on November 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium, extending their winning streak to three games. Returning from knee surgery, outside linebacker Myles Garrett played 60 percent of defensive snaps and recorded three sacks while sharing the field with defensive end Aaron Donald.
When Garrett and Donald were both on the field for 23 plays, the Rams’ defense allowed an average of 5.0 yards per play and totaled four sacks. Without both players on the field, the defense allowed 8.1 yards per play and a touchdown with no sacks recorded.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua recorded his ninth career game with at least 150 receiving yards, surpassing Hall of Famer Elroy Hirsch for the third-most such games in franchise history. Nacua excelled against zone coverage, catching 12 of 17 targets for 128 yards, his best performance against this coverage type this season.
The Rams relied heavily on 13 personnel formations, deploying three tight ends on 54.8 percent of offensive plays—the highest usage rate in the NFL this season. Tight ends Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Davis Allen contributed to an offense averaging 5.3 yards per play with a 57.5 percent success rate and a touchdown in these formations.
Los Angeles’ defense has not allowed a second-half touchdown in five games this season, the second-most such games in the NFL. Against the Commanders, the defense limited Washington to a single 41-yard field goal in the third quarter, making critical plays late to maintain the lead.
CSB Take
The return of Myles Garrett has immediately strengthened the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front, complementing Aaron Donald’s elite pass rushing ability. Garrett’s performance on limited snaps suggests the defense’s effectiveness will increase as he regains full participation. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua is establishing himself as a premier receiver with consistent high-yardage outputs. The Rams’ commitment to utilizing 13 personnel reflects a strategic approach that balances blocking and passing, which will be important moving forward this season.
Source: Original report
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