Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Commanders Live In-Game Updates, Highlights: Rams Win 28-20

The Los Angeles Rams will look to increase their playoff wins in Week 15 against a Washington Commanders team that is feisty despite selling at the deadline.

The Los Angeles Rams (6-7) are firmly in win-now mode against the Washington Commanders (4-9) on Sunday.

Week 15’s action kicks off a three-game stretch of winnable games Los Angeles needs to keep itself above water. A loss in any of the next three weeks would mean a Week 18 date with the San Francisco 49ers becomes a do-or-die affair.

Needless to say, every Sunday from here on out is critical to shaping up the NFC playoff picture. The Rams, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, have the fortune of an advantageous matchup against the Commanders.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford attempting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens / © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Few quarterbacks are playing better ball than Stafford right now. He’s attempting throws half the league wouldn’t think of and continuing to find success when targeting receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

Meanwhile, Washington has the league’s worst defense by expected points added per play, at the hands of a porous secondary. Despite ranking 15th in success rate, the Commanders' defense has fared so poorly due to a complete inability to prevent explosive plays. There will be downfield opportunities for Stafford to test and, given how this season has gone for Washington, it seems likely they’ll be cashed in on.

The Commanders’ pass rush had the legs cut out from under it at the trade deadline when edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young were dealt. This is a defense dead in the water against one of the most high-octane offenses the NFC has to offer.

Are Donald and Tutu Playing for Rams?

Of course, running back Kyren Williams’ incredible play as of late will help, too. But when push comes to shove, it’s a passing league. Los Angeles has the better quarterback and better matchups downfield. Expect that to show up in a crucial home game.

WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (6-7) vs. Washington Commanders (4-9)

WHERE: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA (70,240)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, 1:05 p.m. (PT)

TELEVISION: CBS

RADIO: ESPNLA 710 AM, Tu Liga 1330 AM

ODDS: Rams -6.5 (-118), -300 Moneyline, Total: 48.5 (o -118/u -110)

Live updates will appear after kickoff.

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FIRST QUARTER

Commanders First Drive: Washington received the opening kickoff.

Its first drive would end quickly. Quarterback Sam Howell hit receiver Curtis Samuel for a six-yard gain, but two incompletions would follow.

Rams First Drive: Tight end Tyler Higbee made his return to the lineup with a false start. 

Stafford's first pass went to Nacua for six yards and receiver Demarcus Robinson moved the chains with a 21-yard catch. Williams broke off his first big play of the day, gaining 27 yards on the ground. Almost immediately, the Commanders have lived up to their reputation.

Los Angeles' drive ended with Lucas Havrisik's 22-yard field goal.

The Rams lead 3-0 with 7:39 remaining in the first quarter.

Commanders Second Drive: Howell hit running back Antonio Gibson on the first two plays of the drive for 11 total yards.

Washington's drive looked like it was stalling out, but Howell scrambled for 14 yards to create a fourth-and-2 situation. From there, he hit star receiver Terry McLaurin for 24 yards.

On the second fourth down of the drive, Howell's pass was swatted away by edge rusher Nick Hampton.

The Rams lead 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

Rams Second Drive: Los Angeles moved the chains on a 17-yard reception to Kupp on the opening play of the second quarter.

Stafford then hit Higbee on an impressive throw and catch that featured a side-arm sling and a toe-tap catch.

Williams saw a lot of work but lost a fumble in the red zone to give the ball back to Washington.

Commanders Third Drive: The Commanders swiftly punted after two Gibson rushes and an incompletion. The Rams will take over near midfield.

Rams Third Drive: Once again, Stafford turned to Kupp for a successful third-down conversion.

Another chunk gain would be found when Robinson rushed for 23 yards. Kupp then found another third-down conversion to bring them to a goal-to-go situation.

Williams would punch it in and extend the lead.

The Rams lead 10-0 with 2:19 remaining in the second quarter.

Commanders Fourth Drive: A challenge turned an incompletion into a six-yard gain for Gibson.

However, the drive would not generate a new set of downs.

Rams Fourth Drive: On the third play of the drive, Stafford went back to Williams on a screen, but he fumbled again, giving Washington the ball.

Commanders Fifth Drive: Howell was sacked on third down, quickly forcing a punt.

A bad snap would lead to punter Tress Way appearing to be hurt. The Rams recovered deep into Washington territory.

Rams Fifth Drive: Los Angeles took advantage of the botched punt operation and ended the half with a field goal.

The Rams lead 13-0 at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

Rams Sixth Drive: The Rams received the second-half kickoff and went right back to Williams, despite his fumbles.

Washington continues to give up explosives left and right. A coverage bust left Kupp wide open and Stafford took advantage for a 62-yard score.

The Rams lead 20-0 with 14:07 remaining in the third quarter.

Commanders Sixth Drive: Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. opened the second half for Washington with a 10-yard run. He would net eight yards on the next play.

The Commanders were eventually forced to punt -- Way made his return -- and the Rams will get the ball back.

Rams Seventh Drive: This drive stalled out quickly after two Williams rushes set up a third-and-13 and Stafford wasn't able to connect with Higbee.

Commanders Seventh Drive: Howell and McLaurin connected for 17 yards on fourth down. The drive would end with a wide-open Samuel in the back of the end zone.

The Rams lead 20-7 with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter.

Rams Eighth Drive: Tight end Davis Allen made a nice appearance to the box score with a 14-yard catch.

Williams would hit the century mark in rushing yards, but could not convince head coach Sean McVay to go for it on fourth-and-3.

Los Angeles took a delay of game and elected to punt.

Commanders Eighth Drive: McLaraurin hauled in one of the greatest catches of the year, only for it to be overturned before McVay could even toss the challenge flag.

The three-and-out would quickly give the ball back to the Rams.

The Rams lead 20-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Rams Ninth Drive: Nacua received the first three touches of the drive, including one rush for six yards.

Another explosive play! Stafford hit Robinson for an easy touchdown to extend the lead. The ensuing two-point conversion would be successful with Williams punching it in.

The Rams lead 28-7 with 13:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Commanders Ninth Drive: The Rams just keep taking care of business. Safety John Johnson III found himself an interception on a tip drill, continuing the onslaught.

Rams Tenth Drive: Like they've done so many times this season, Los Angeles can lean on the run and do so successfully. Williams saw the first five touches of the drive.

The drive would end in a punt.

Commanders Tenth Drive: That was quick! Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett replaced Howell. After a scramble and three completions, he aired one out to McLaurin for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Rams lead 28-14 with 7:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Rams Eleventh Drive: Surprisingly enough, the Rams have struggled to burn clock on this drive, turning to running back Royce Freeman before a Stafford sack preceded a punt.

Commanders Eleventh Drive: Just like the last drive, Brissett found McLaurin blazing down the right sideline. He was ruled down at the one-yard line, but this one is getting interesting in a hurry.

Somehow (two failed rushes, offensive pass interference, and a short pass), Washington couldn't find the end zone. On fourth down, however, cornerback Derion Kendrick gifted the Commanders first-and-goal (again).

On first down, a Rodriguez rush lost yards. On second down, Brissett's pass was batted away. On third down, he was forced to throw it away. On fourth down they finally scored, by way of a Samuel reception. That was ... something.

The extra point was blocked.

The Rams lead 28-20 with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Rams Twelfth Drive: Kupp knocked the onside kick out of bounds. 

Williams ran for eight yards on first down and moved the chains a play later. The Rams will get back to .500. 

The Rams beat the Commanders 28-20 to advance to 7-7.