Puka Nacua kept finding open grass at Northwest Stadium, and the Los Angeles Rams needed nearly every one of his 14 catches to escape with a 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders. Los Angeles arrived at 4-4, hoping to turn an even start into a climb toward the NFC’s best teams. Washington, fresh off a home win over Philadelphia, wanted to build a rescue run around Jayden Daniels. Instead, Nacua’s 150 receiving yards became the game’s strongest force.

Washington struck first after an opening-drive field goal made it 3-0. Daniels then turned a short throw to Rachaad White into a 45-yard burst down to the Rams 7 early in the second quarter. On the next play, Daniels found Van Jefferson for a 7-yard touchdown and a 10-3 lead. It was a sharp example of the Commanders’ plan: use Daniels’ quick decisions and White’s ability to create space.

Matthew Stafford and Nacua answered with steady work. Stafford hit Nacua again and again as the Rams moved into range before halftime. But Washington safety Cross punched back when he forced a fumble after a Nacua catch and returned the loose ball 15 yards. The Commanders had a chance to take control, but Myles Garrett stripped Daniels on the next series. The Rams used that sudden change to kick a 20-yard field goal, cutting Washington’s lead to 10-6 at halftime.

Los Angeles seized the lead after the break. Nacua opened the third quarter with catches of 12 and 15 yards, while Blake Corum powered through Washington’s defense. Corum finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run for a 13-10 Rams lead.

Washington’s defense created another opening when safety Cross intercepted Stafford near the Rams goal line. Daniels guided the Commanders into range, and Drew Stevens tied the game, 13-13, with a 41-yard field goal. Yet the Rams did not panic. Stafford found Nacua for 19 yards late in the third quarter, then Los Angeles leaned on its running game near the goal line. Finally, Stafford zipped a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nacua with 12:51 left, putting the Rams ahead 20-13.

Daniels kept fighting. He completed a 21-yard pass to Jefferson and later launched a 42-yard throw to Stefon Diggs in the final minute. With only seconds left, Daniels found Chig Okonkwo for 20 yards to the Rams 11. But Okonkwo lost the ball after the catch. White recovered it, then lost it himself, and the Rams recovered to end the game.

Garrett’s three sacks helped Los Angeles close the door, while Daniels threw for 274 yards and kept Washington alive until the last snap. The Rams are now 5-4 and carry a hard-earned road win into their next game against Arizona. Washington falls to 2-5-1 and heads toward a matchup with the New York Giants, knowing its comeback spirit is real but its finishing plays must become cleaner.

Puka Nacua’s 150-Yard Day Carries Rams Past Washington