Rams WR Puka Nacua Wins NFC Offensive Player Of The Week
Add yet another achievement for the rookie sensation that is Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua, a fifth-round pick out of BYU, continued his outstanding rookie campaign with another great game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, earning him the first NFC Offensive Player of the Week award of his young career.
Nacua put on quite the show under the bright lights, catching nine passes for a season-high 164 yards (beating his previous best by one) and the game's opening touchdown.
As a little cherry on top, he added another 16 yards on two rushes, with one of those carries resulting in an all-important first down on L.A.'s final drive.
Puka Nacua
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
While those plays were extremely important, Nacua's biggest highlight of the night came on a completely different one. On the first play of the second half, the Las Vegas-native made a diving catch to set the Rams up in Saints territory with a 41-yard gain.
With another great performance under his belt, Nacua is inching closer to some notable rookie records. He passed Saints star Michael Thomas for the third-most receptions by a rookie, now up to 96, and he's closing in on the rookie record of 104, set by Miami Dolphins star Jaylen Waddle in 2021.
Thursday's game also marked Nacua's sixth with over 100 receiving yards, and his third with over 150.
Nacua is the second Ram to win NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, alongside running back Kyren Williams who won it in Week 12. Punter Ethan Evans also won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 11.
