The Washington Commanders have played two of the four teams in the NFC West so far. They took down the Seattle Seahawks back in Week 3, but came up just short against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Now, they take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9.

Los Angeles has underperformed so far this season. With a 4-4 record, they trail the 49ers in their division race by multiple games. Meanwhile, Washington is still in the conversation in the NFC East, but they need to keep piling up wins. Ahead of this game against the Rams, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson knows the key is containing their top wide receiver, Puka Nacua.

“The main key to offense is Number 12 [Puka Nacua],” Chaisson said. “So, key in on Number 12 man and limit the explosives and catches that he can get and I think that we’ll have ourselves in good position.”

They will also have to contend with Los Angeles’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who is coming off an MVP season last year. He may not be performing at that same level so far this year, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and with his nearly 20 years of experience, it is hard to throw him off balance. Still, the Commanders are going to give him as many looks as they can to get after him.

“Just give him as [many] different looks as possible,” Chaisson said. “He’s seen everything. So at this point, he’s not an MVP by accident, right? So, you got to limit as much [as] possible and dirty up the show. But, it’s going to start up front, kind of creating as much havoc as possible. Getting him off the spot, man, and shutting off one half of the field. So, I think that’s going to be key. That’s going to be huge for the defensive line to keep that rolling from the past week and move it on this week.”

Stafford has faced the Washington Commanders six times in his career and has never lost. So, a win for Washington in this game would be a chance for them to make history.