Garrett records three sacks as Rams beat Commanders 20-13

The Los Angeles Rams beat the Washington Commanders 20-13 on Sunday, with Myles Garrett recording three sacks on his return to action and Puka Nacua catching the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. According to the Guardian's live coverage of the NFL's ninth week, the victory lifted Los Angeles to 5-4 and second place in the NFC West.

Watch the highlights:

Garrett also finished with three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. His return gave the Rams a major defensive contribution in a game that remained close into the closing minutes. Washington finished the contest with 13 points, while Los Angeles overturned a half-time deficit to secure its fifth victory of the season.

The Commanders had led 10-6 at the interval, leaving the Rams needing to improve on an opening half in which they had not scored a touchdown. Los Angeles responded early in the third quarter with an eight-play, 69-yard drive. Blake Corum completed it with a two-yard touchdown run, putting the visitors 13-10 ahead with 11:29 remaining in the period.

Washington subsequently drew level at 13-13, but Matthew Stafford and Nacua combined to break the tie in the fourth quarter. Stafford found the receiver for a seven-yard touchdown with 11:35 left, taking the Rams into a 20-13 lead. The Guardian's update at the time also credited Nacua with 150 receiving yards, underlining his contribution alongside Garrett's work on defense.

The Commanders still had an opportunity after Los Angeles punted with 5:26 remaining. An illegal-block penalty on the return pushed Washington back to around its own 12-yard line, leaving quarterback Jayden Daniels a long field to cover in search of a tying score. There was no further scoring before the final whistle, and the Rams retained their seven-point advantage.

The result left Washington with a 2-5-1 record, while Los Angeles moved above .500. For the Rams, the difference on the scoreboard came after the break: they scored 14 second-half points and conceded three. Corum's touchdown erased the interval deficit before Nacua's reception supplied the lead they would not surrender.