Chargers vs. Commanders: What LA must do on defense to win the game in Week 5

The Chargers will look to advance to 4-1 with a win over the Commanders on Sunday.

Here's what they need to do on defense to come away victorious.

Play contain

Los Angeles allowed Giants rookie Jaxson Dart to run for 54 yards and extend a handful of passing plays last week, one of the few ways that the Chargers' normally stellar defense can get bent out of shape. With Jayden Daniels set to return from a two-week knee injury on Sunday, LA will need to do a better job of crushing the pocket and preventing Daniels from getting to the perimeter, where pursuing defenders are more prone to leaving open receivers behind them. Putting linebacker Daiyan Henley in spy situations may also help keep Daniels under wraps on Sunday.

Limit the run game

Washington is the second-best running team in the league by total yardage and yards per carry, and it hasn't mattered much whether the back is Austin Ekeler (now lost for the season with a torn Achilles), Bill Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, or Chris Rodriguez Jr. toting the rock. LA got ground into a bit of a pulp by Giants back Cam Skattebo last week, and while nobody on the Commanders has the type of run-through-contact ability Skattebo has, the Commanders make up for that with improved personnel on the offensive line. Getting a big game from defensive tackles Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell against the run would go a long way towards a victory.

Key on Deebo Samuel

Samuel will be the only one of Washington's top three receivers to suit up, as Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have been ruled out. The Commanders' other threats at receiver are currently slated to be Chris Moore and Luke McCaffrey, who have combined for 155 yards on 13 receptions this season. If the Chargers can take Samuel away and limit his opportunities to create yards after the catch, it'll put them on the path to victory.

Regain their turnover luck

After creating 15 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries as a team last season, the Chargers have been able to produce only 3 takeaways in 4 games. All 3 were interceptions of Raiders quarterback Geno Smith in Week 2. Washington has only turned the ball over twice this season, both at the hands of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. While LA doesn't have to be the team to turn up the variance on Sunday - the Chargers are 2.5 point favorites - forcing Daniels' first turnover of the year or punching a ball out in the run game would go a long way toward a bounce-back win.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' defensive keys to victory against the Commanders