Four takeaways from the Commanders’ 28-20 loss to the Rams

The Commanders, who trailed, 13-0, at halftime and by a margin of 28-7 when Howell was benched early in the fourth quarter, have lost at least 10 games for the second time under Rivera and the third time in the past five years. Washington’s defense did avoid allowing 45 points for a third consecutive game, but it couldn’t get off the field, as the Rams converted seven of their first eight third downs and enjoyed a more than 11-minute advantage in time of possession.

Brissett provides a spark: The game featured few highlights for Howell, who threw his league-leading 15th interception with 13:12 remaining in the fourth quarter before Brissett replaced him. Howell, who has thrown six interceptions in his past four games, completed 11 of 26 pass attempts and established a new career low for passing yards (102) for the second straight game. The Rams only sacked Howell once, but he never got into a rhythm and was fortunate not to have thrown an interception before John Johnson III picked off his pass that bounced off the fingertips of a leaping Terry McLaurin.

Brissett, the eight-year veteran, looked sharp in his first real game action of the season. He led a pair of quick touchdown drives and demonstrated excellent chemistry with McLaurin, who capped Brissett’s first scoring march with a 29-yard touchdown catch and set up Brissett’s second touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel with a 48-yard grab. Brissett completed 8 of 10 passes for 124 yards. McLaurin had six catches for 141 yards.

Rams’ Matthew Stafford stays hot: After throwing 10 touchdowns and only one interception in his past three games, Stafford continued his torrid stretch against Washington. The 35-year-old quarterback was 5-of-5 for 41 yards on the Rams’ opening drive, which culminated in a field goal that gave Los Angeles the early lead and its 10th score on its first possession this season.

Stafford completed his first 12 pass attempts of the day, for 110 yards, including five third-down completions to move the sticks. He tossed his first incompletion on a throwaway through the end zone late in the second quarter. Stafford finished 25-of-33 for 258 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was left uncovered and hauled in a 62-yard touchdown catch on the Rams’ first drive of the third quarter. Kupp finished with eight catches for 111 yards.

Fumbles keep Washington close: In the first half, the Rams outgained Washington, 242-83, and possessed the ball for more than 19 minutes, but a pair of turnovers by running back Kyren Williams kept it a two-score game at the break. Washington safety Percy Butler forced Williams’s first fumble, which Kendall Fuller recovered at the Commanders’ 9-yard line in the first quarter. Kam Curl pounced on Williams’ second fumble at the Washington 39 late in the first half.

Williams, a fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2022, finished with 27 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown, and he iced the game by picking up a first down after Washington’s failed onside kick attempt in the final minute. Washington twice turned the ball over on downs, including on a bounced snap by Cheeseman on a botched punt in the second quarter.