LANDOVER, Md. - De principio a fin, la ofensiva de los Rams giró alrededor de Puka Nacua.
El receptor abierto consiguió el primer movimiento de cadenas de Los Ángeles con una recepción de nueve yardas en la primera serie ofensiva. También logró el último primero y diez del equipo con una carrera de 15 yardas en una jugada de jet sweep a mediados del último cuarto.
Así que, literalmente, desde el inicio hasta el final del partido, Nacua estuvo involucrado en prácticamente todo el éxito ofensivo de los Rams. Terminó el encuentro con 14 recepciones para 150 yardas, su mejor registro de la temporada, además de un touchdown por recepción y 20 yardas terrestres en dos acarreos, durante la victoria de los Rams por 20-13 sobre los Commanders.
"Hizo muchísimas jugadas importantes", comentó el head coach Sean McVay después del partido. "Necesitábamos cada una de esas 14 recepciones y sí, aún hay un par de cosas que todavía puede mejorar. Creo que fue muy importante la conversión que consiguió con esa jugada de jet sweep, que nos permitió extender la serie ofensiva".
Su primera recepción representó el primer primero y diez de los Rams, mientras que su última atrapada del partido terminó siendo el touchdown de siete yardas que aseguró la victoria, al recibir el balón por encima de un defensivo, cuando faltaban poco menos de 13 minutos en el reloj.
"Siempre es divertido llegar a la zona de anotación y celebrar con los compañeros. Siento que ya nos tocaba conseguir uno así", dijo Nacua.
"Ellos ejecutaron algo diferente a lo que quizá esperábamos y Nacua hizo un buen trabajo ajustando ligeramente la parte inicial de su ruta en la línea de golpeo. Después regresó hacia el lado contrario y, obviamente, corrió una gran ruta y logró mantener los pies dentro del campo. Fue una gran recepción, una jugada muy importante cuando más la necesitábamos", explicó el quarterback Matthew Stafford.
En una tarde llena de grandes momentos, Nacua también tuvo algunos altibajos. Dejó caer algunos pases que seguramente le hubiera gustado atrapar, pero su impacto general en el desempeño de los Rams fue ampliamente positivo.
"Esa es una de las cosas que queremos ser capaces de hacer como entrenadores: demostrar confianza para volver inmediatamente a ti", comentó McVay cuando le preguntaron cómo logró Nacua sacudirse sus errores.
"Tengo que ser capaz de atrapar esos pases que parecen fáciles. Especialmente algunos de esos en los que tenemos libertad para ejecutar la jugada, tengo que quedarme con ellos. Pero quiero agradecerle a Matthew por seguir confiando en mí", dijo Nacua.
Que Nacua terminara con su mejor registro de yardas por recepción de la temporada fue una muestra de la confianza que McVay y Stafford tienen en él. Sin embargo, esa confianza también estuvo acompañada por una realidad: Stafford simplemente tenía menos opciones a las cuales lanzar el balón. Como resultado, Nacua acumuló 150 de las 228 yardas aéreas totales de Stafford.
El receptor abierto Davante Adams continúa en la lista de lesionados (Injured Reserve) después de someterse a una cirugía por una lesión en el tendón de la corva. Por su parte, el ala cerrada Terrance Ferguson había regresado a los entrenamientos el miércoles y jueves después de recuperarse de una lesión en el tobillo, pero sufrió una lesión en el tendón de la corva durante la práctica del viernes y fue descartado para el partido del domingo ante los Commanders.
Por tercer partido consecutivo, los Rams no pudieron contar con dos de sus principales receptores, lo que representó una mayor responsabilidad para Nacua. En esos tres encuentros sin Adams ni Ferguson, Nacua registró 33 recepciones para 298 yardas y tres touchdowns.
Al final, a pesar de las lesiones y los balones caídos, los Rams consiguieron la victoria sobre los Commanders el domingo. Nacua tuvo sus momentos buenos y malos, pero para él lo más importante es que el equipo juegue de manera complementaria, especialmente cuando él fue responsable de dos de las tres conversiones en cuarta oportunidad y de uno de los dos touchdowns de los Rams.
"Estamos consiguiendo puntos en la zona roja, lo que representa una jugada positiva y le da a nuestra defensiva la oportunidad de jugar de manera más agresiva. Cuando jugamos de manera complementaria, siempre es mejor", señaló Nacua.
En un partido en el que Stafford necesitaba confiar en Nacua, el receptor respondió una y otra vez.
"Es extraordinario, como siempre", dijo Stafford. "Compitió, nos dio ese impulso que necesitábamos y consiguió una gran jugada para el touchdown. Hizo muchísimas cosas buenas. Simplemente estoy feliz de tenerlo con nosotros."
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Washington Commanders for Week 9 at Northwest Stadium. Take a look at photos from the matchup!
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Kam Curl (3) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr (1) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Outside linebacker Byron Young (0) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Quentin Lake (37) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Kicker Brandon McManus (19) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Quentin Lake (37) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Linebackers Grand Stuard (44) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Linebacker Omar Speights (48) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Linebacker Omar Speights (48) and Defensive back Quentin Lake (37) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) and Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr (1) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12), Offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (77), and Wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (4) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide Receiver Tutu Atwell (8) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) and Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Nick Andersen (45) and Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr (1) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) after the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) after the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) after the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) after the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) after the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr (1) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) and Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Outside linebacker Wesley Bailey (47) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Outside linebacker Byron Young (0) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Quentin Lake (37) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Blake Corum (24) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Kicker Josh Karty (16) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Punter Ethan Evans (42) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Ronnie Rivers (20) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (69) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr (1) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (4) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Wide receiver CJ Daniels (6) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Abigail Dean /Los Angeles Rams)
Running back Kyren Williams (23) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Derek Campbell /Los Angeles Rams)
Defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) before the regular season game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Brevin Townsell /Los Angeles Rams)
