Puka Nacua Adds Another Accolade to Historic Rookie Season As Rams Fall Just Short Against Lions

L.A.’s rough night didn’t end without a reason to cheer for the 22-year-old rookie sensation.

A historic rookie season for Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua carried over into the playoffs as the rising star delivered another stellar outing in Sunday’s wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions. 

The No. 6-seed Rams fell just short against the No. 3-seed Lions, 24–23, on the road in an intense back and forth game that saw Nacua, who set the record for the most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie, wow again. In what was a performance for the ages in his postseason debut, Nacua tallied nine receptions for 181 yards and a touchdown to set the mark for the most receiving yards for a rookie receiver in a playoff game.

Nacua’s latest electric performance featured plenty of big-time catches from the 22-year-old, though his most impressive may have been on the play that set the mark: a 35-yard catch-and-run on his last reception of the night.

Puka Nacua sets a rookie record for receiving yards in a playoff game!

📺: #LARvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/upLPjD2Lhe

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

After finishing the regular season ranked fourth in receiving yards (1,486), Nacua, somehow, took his game to another level on a night where he bested Seahawks star DK Metcalf’s record 160-yard effort against the Eagles in 2020.

Unfortunately for Nacua, Sunday’s loss means he won’t have a chance to continue his standout debut season. But, if the last game of his legendary rookie year is any indication, Nacua’s second campaign is already shaping up to be one to watch.