Rams Must Take Advantage Of Opportunity vs. Lowly Commanders

The Los Angeles Rams have a tremendous opportunity for a playoff push down the stretch, and it starts Sunday afternoon vs. a porous Washington Commanders defense.

The Los Angeles Rams got off to a rough start to this season, once sitting at 3-6 and staring another playoff-less postseason in the face. 

However, over the last four weeks, L.A. has rebounded in a big way, winning three of their last four games, thanks in large part to some stellar performances from Matthew Stafford and the offense. 

Sitting a 6-7 with four games to go, however, the Rams still have a long way to go to secure a playoff spot. That said, they also have a favorable schedule ahead over the next three weeks. 

Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Luckily for the Rams, they are set to get maybe the best matchup imaginable on Sunday, with a porous Washington Commanders (4-9) defense coming to SoFi Stadium. 

How porous? The Commanders currently rank dead last in the NFL in passing defense, giving up 266 yards per game, as well as dead last in scoring defense, surrendering and average of 30.6 points per contest. 

Meanwhile, over the past four games, Stafford has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 992 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only two interceptions - looking more like the quarterback who led the Rams to a Super Bowl just two years ago than a player in his twilight.

Stafford Playing At Elite Level, Leading Rams Back To Playoff Contention; Here's How

"Yeah, he's played like Matthew," Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday. "He's a great player and you can see he's feeling healthy. I think he's doing a great job distributing the football. Guys are competing hard around him and for him and he has got great command of what he's seeing."

More than that, Puka Nacua has caught three touchdowns and averaged 71.5 yards per game over the last four outings, continuing what seems to be a sure bet of an offensive rookie of the year campaign.

In other words, it is exactly the type of matchup the Rams need to have a chance to get back in the win column and draw closer to trying to clinch a Wild Card spot.