The Litmus Test: Can Myles Garrett Turn the Rams' Defense Into a Dictator?
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With a 4-4 record and playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the return of a defensive powerhouse transforms the Rams' road trip to Washington into a defining moment for the roster.
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026-27 season as Super Bowl favorites, but as they hit the midway point of the year, the reality is far less glamorous. Sitting at 4-4 and currently on the outside of the playoff picture, as Sportsnet first reported, the Rams are no longer playing for a coronation; they are playing for survival.
In my view, the upcoming clash against the Washington Commanders isn't just another game on the schedule. It is the definitive litmus test for this defense. For the first eight weeks, the Rams have navigated a gauntlet of injuries and struggled with a league-worst field goal percentage of 63.6 percent—a dysfunction so acute that Sportsnet reports they rostered two kickers, Joshua Karty and Brandon McManus, during Week 8.
But the narrative shifts from special teams failures to defensive potential this week. Head coach Sean McVay has announced that Myles Garrett is likely to start for the first time since Week 1, following knee surgery for a pre-existing ailment. This marks a pivotal juncture: Garrett and Aaron Donald will finally be on the field together. Between the two of them, they hold five combined Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Until now, the Rams have been playing along with the rhythm of their opponents. The question is whether the addition of Garrett allows them to actually dictate the game. When you possess two of the most decorated defensive players in the history of the sport, the objective is simple: total disruption. If the Rams can leverage this pairing to stifle Washington, they aren't just adding a roster piece; they are unlocking a defensive identity that can carry a team through the postseason.
The stakes for this specific matchup are quantified in cold, hard percentages. According to Sportsnet, a victory on the road would see the Rams' playoff odds climb from 42 percent to 50 percent. Conversely, a loss would be devastating, plummeting those odds down to 29 percent.
For a team that has spent the first half of the season fighting against its own injuries and inconsistencies, this is the moment of truth. The talent is there, and the pairing of Garrett and Donald is the most lethal weapon in their arsenal. Now, the Rams have to prove they can use that weapon to take control of the game rather than just hoping to survive it.