The Washington Commanders are back in action Sunday when they travel across the country to face the Los Angeles Rams. It will be Washington’s first game at SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020.
The Commanders have lost four games in a row and are approaching the end of the Ron Rivera era. Washington fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. In Week 13, the Commanders again allowed 45 points in a blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins.
As we continue to preview Week 15, here are six stats/facts to know for Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Rams.
Rams DT Aaron Donald could have a record day
The last time the Rams played Washington was when Alex Smith made his remarkable return to action. Smith was sacked six times that day in relief of Kyle Allen. It was a tough day for Smith’s return as future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald sacked Washington’s QBs four times — tying a career-high. Washington’s offensive line is in worse shape now than it was in 2020, so don’t be surprise if Donald doesn’t match that total again.
Matthew Stafford is undefeated vs. Washington
Washington attempted to trade for Matthew Stafford after the 2020 season, but the Lions agreed to a deal with the Rams, and the rest is history. In his career vs. Washington (all with Detroit), Stafford is 5-0. Stafford, like Donald, last played Washington in 2020. He led the Lions to a win by throwing three touchdown passes on that day. He has 11 career touchdowns vs. only two interceptions against Washington.
Washington has dominated the series overall
Washington is 26-14-1 against Los Angeles. The Rams have won three of the past five meetings, and Sean McVay is 1-1 vs. his former team. In McVay’s first season with the Rams, he lost to his mentor, former Washington head coach Jay Gruden, 27-20. McVay’s Rams defeated Washington 30-10 in 2020.
Sam Howell continuing to move up in the franchise's record books
Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is 13 completions away from moving past Kirk Cousins into third place in franchise history for most completions in a single season. However, Cousins holds the top three spots on the list, and the all-time record is 406, which he set in 2016. With four games remaining, Howell needs 72 completions to break the record, which is certainly within reach if he remains healthy.
Commanders defense is historically bad
The Rams come into Sunday’s game hot on offense. They’ll face a struggling Washington defense that can’t put pressure on the quarterback or stop anyone. No team gives up big plays like the Commanders do. Here are these numbers, per Sharp Analysis:
The Commanders are allowing an NFL-high 2.52 points per possession and also an NFL-high 5.2 scoring plays per game.
Washington has allowed the most points in the NFL, and it could be even uglier facing three strong offensive teams to finish the season.
Play Matthew Stafford in fantasy
In his last three games, Stafford has 10 passing touchdowns. Washington has allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for two or more touchdowns in 10 of its 13 games this season. In his last two games, Stafford has passed for three touchdowns against the Browns and Ravens, which are two of the NFL’s best defenses.
If you have Stafford on your fantasy team or are into daily fantasy, Stafford is your guy for Week 15.
