Kyren Williams scores twice as Rams beat Commanders 23-9

Landover, MD - Kyren Williams rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, Matthew Stafford threw for 287 yards and another score, and the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Washington Commanders 23-9 in Week 9.

Los Angeles entered the game at 4-4 after consecutive losses, then gradually created separation against a Washington team that struggled to turn its opportunities into touchdowns. The Rams finished with 390 offensive yards, snapped their two-game skid and left Landover with their first victory in three games.

The clearest contrast came inside the 20. Los Angeles made four red-zone trips and scored two touchdowns, while Washington also reached the red zone four times but failed to produce a touchdown. Two of the Commanders' red-zone possessions ended in field goals.

"When you get down there, you want to finish with seven," Stafford said. "We didn't convert every opportunity, but we were able to get touchdowns on the board and keep applying pressure. Kyren gave us balance, and the receivers kept giving me places to go with the football."

Stafford completed 24 of 37 passes with one touchdown and a 97.4 passer rating. He spread the production across several targets, with Tutu Atwell delivering the game's highest receiving total at 109 yards on nine catches. Terrance Ferguson added seven receptions for 73 yards, while Puka Nacua caught three passes for 36 yards and scored Los Angeles' receiving touchdown.

Williams supplied nearly all of the Rams' rushing production, accounting for 100 of their 103 yards on the ground. He carried 17 times, the most rushing attempts by any player in the game, and broke a game-long 28-yard run. His two rushing touchdowns gave Los Angeles three offensive scores between Williams and Nacua.

"I wanted to stay patient and take whatever was there," Williams said. "The carries kept coming, and I tried to make each one useful. Getting to 100 is great, but the two touchdowns and the win are what I'm taking from it."

Although the Rams were only 2-for-8 on third down and failed on their lone fourth-down attempt, they still recorded 19 first downs and held an 83-yard advantage in offensive production. Their 287 passing yards were 99 more than Washington's total through the air.

The Commanders generated 307 offensive yards and 18 first downs but had difficulty extending possessions consistently. They converted 3 of 14 third downs and 2 of 4 fourth downs. Washington accumulated 119 rushing yards, including 53 on 14 carries from Rachaad White, but its red-zone possessions never produced a touchdown.

Desmond Ridder completed 18 of 36 passes for 188 yards and finished with one interception and a 53.9 passer rating. Antonio Williams was his most productive target, catching eight passes for 92 yards. Washington continued to move the ball during stretches of the game, but Los Angeles maintained its advantage and widened the margin before the finish.

"Four trips inside the 20 and no touchdowns - that's the part that stays with you," Ridder said. "We had chances to put more points up, and we didn't finish those possessions the way we needed to. I have to be more accurate and do a better job taking care of the football."

Both defenses registered one sack. Byron Young recorded the Rams' sack and also forced a fumble, while Los Angeles finished with one interception. Washington produced its sack but did not intercept Stafford.

Neither offense dominated every category, and neither team converted even 30% of its third downs. The difference was more visible on the scoreboard and in the red zone: Los Angeles scored three touchdowns overall between Stafford's pass and Williams' two runs, while Washington came away without a touchdown on any of its four trips inside the 20.

For the Rams, the result ended a brief midseason slide and restored momentum after they had fallen back to .500. Washington, which entered at 3-4 following a loss, was unable to reverse its own recent direction despite topping Los Angeles in rushing yards.

Up Next

Los Angeles will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 looking to build on the victory, while Washington heads to the New York Giants seeking a response to the loss.