The Washington Commanders had a frustrating Week 9 performance and result, falling to 2-5-1 after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Northwest Stadium.
This was a winnable game. It may not have looked that way coming in, but the Commanders had plenty of chances to pull away from the Rams. They didn't take them, and Los Angeles' stars took over down the stretch to pile more misery on head coach Dan Quinn.
The Commanders have no time to wallow in self-pity. They are on a short week before clashing with the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football. And if they don't win at MetLife Stadium, they will be four games behind the G-Men with their season all but over.
High stakes, indeed. But when Quinn puts on the Week 9 game film, he will know this contest got away from Washington when a memorable upset was more than possible.
With that in mind, here are three winners and five losers from the Commanders' fifth reverse of the campaign.
Winners and losers from the Washington Commanders' defeat to the Los Angeles Rams
Loser No. 1
Trey Amos - Commanders CB
The Commanders are relying heavily on Trey Amos. This was only his third game back after missing a year with a fractured fibula and ankle sprain, but his exceptional performance against the Philadelphia Eagles suggested he is eager to make up for some lost time.
This was always going to be much tougher. Puka Nacua is one of the league's most accomplished wide receivers and a nightmare to deal with after the catch. Amos and everyone else had their work cut out, and he struggled accordingly as the wideout racked up 170 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches.
With Davante Adams out, quarterback Matthew Stafford force-feeds Nacua. Everyone knows where the ball is going, but they cannot prevent the inevitable. And it seemed like this challenge came a little too soon for Amos.
Winner No. 1
Van Jefferson Jr. - Commanders WR
With Terry McLaurin done for the year, the last thing Washington needed was Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown missing time. Unfortunately, that's what happened, so others had to step up and make an impression.
The lack of usage for Antonio Williams and Stefon Diggs was strange, to say the least. That will be scrutinized, but it provided Van Jefferson Jr. with a chance to step up against his former club.
Jefferson was signed from the practice squad to the active roster after McLaurin's torn patellar tendon. This was easily his best game in a Washington uniform so far, and he became the only genuinely consistent wideout for the entire contest.
Playing against your old employers always brings more. One only has to look at Emmanuel Forbes Jr. on the other side to see that, but this is the standard Jefferson's now set for himself, and there should be more opportunities coming.
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