GLENDALE, Ariz. – Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua can win over the top and "Moss" a defender, or he can run through them. He did both against cornerback Will Johnson on Sunday to score two touchdowns in the Rams' Week 14 route of the Cardinals.
As the first half clock ticked down, Nacua caught a seam ball from quarterback Matthew Stafford and bulldozed Johnson to cross the goal line standing up. That 28-yard touchdown gave Los Angeles a 24-10 lead entering halftime.
After a turnover late in the third quarter, the Rams took over on Arizona's 31-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Nacua separated from Johnson with a double move that was reminiscent of his veteran running mate, Davante Adams. He then sprinted down the left sideline and leapt up in the air to grab a slightly underthrown pass through contact before backpedaling into the end zone, giving L.A. a 38-10 lead.
Nacua said there had been double moves in the past where he rushed it, but this one was executed to perfection. He wanted to sell it well, knowing that Johnson had driven back to the ball for a pass breakup prior to that.
"I have complete trust in No. 9," Nacua said postgame. "Wherever he puts that ball, I'm like, I have no fear and no doubt that it's a spot for me, so it always feels good when we connect on some of those ones."
Nacua caught seven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns (his first career game with multiple receiving scores) in the Rams' 45-17 win against the Cardinals. He also caught all four of his contested targets and forced two missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), in an effort that showcased his entire skill set.
It's surprising that a receiver of Nacua's pedigree hadn't caught two touchdowns in a game before Sunday. He said postgame that he usually doesn't come into games with multiple touchdown celebrations planned, so he'll have to adjust that moving forward now that he's set that precedent.
His impact goes beyond touchdown production, though. He can truly do it all and showcased that in Arizona.
Nacua caught passes at every level of the field, according to PFF. A short hitch went for 10 yards after he kept his legs churning to gain every possible inch. He caught both intermediate targets for 38 yards, snagging one with a single hand in traffic and then remaining upright as red jerseys rammed into him. He also hauled in all four deep balls (20-plus yards downfield) thrown his way, which accounted for 119 yards and two scores.
It was as complete of a performance as you can have as a wide receiver. But for Nacua, who's enjoying a career year in his third NFL season, it was just another day at the office for he and Stafford.
"Just try to put in some good spots for him, and he does unbelievable stuff coming down with the football, contested catches," Stafford said. "... I wouldn't say I'm surprised, but I do appreciate all of them. I don't sit there and take them for granted, that's for sure."
He made so many highlight-reel catches that six of his seven grabs warranted their own video on the Rams' website, and five were explosive plays that gained least 20 yards. He just one-upped himself over and over again.
"Some of the catches that he's making where it's a contested catch, but then he's pulling guys in to be able to score, he's a freaking stud," said head coach Sean McVay.
After his second touchdown of the day put him just three yard short of his single-game career-high, Nacua was smiling and laughing on the sideline. There was no need for him to re-enter the game to break that mark, as the Rams led by multiple scores late. At the rate he's going, Nacua will have plenty of chances to do so.
