
Puka Nacua Seeks Another Stellar Playoff Performance
After a 1-4 start to the season the Los Angles Rams found the physical and mental fortitude to right the ship, finishing the season with 9 wins in 12 games.
That effort, good for a 10-7 overall record, was good enough to win the NFC West and lock LA into the postseason.
Initially, anticipated to host a home playoff game, the Rams have had to adapt as wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area.
This has resulted in a neutral site game between the #4 Rams and the 5th seeded Minnesota Vikings taking place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Despite “Los Angeles” being painted in the end zones and the Rams logo at midfield, the true “home field advantage” may not be as palpable as it would be in SoFi Stadium.
With an anticipated heavy mixture of Rams and Vikings fans expected, and a domed stadium safe from the elements, people are looking at x-factors on the field more than any other playoff game.
Matt Stafford, Kobie Turner and the Rams defense, a team playing for a city in pain all will have their own story lines come kickoff as well as a former BYU wide receiver.
Puka Nacua is one of the more intriguing players In this first round based on what he did in his only postseason appearance, in the opening round of last seasons playoffs.
In a 24-23 loss to Detroit, Nacua torched the Lions secondary with 9 receptions on ten targets, rolling for 181 yards.
Puka was good for 20.1 yards per catch and hauled in a deep toss on the sideline that went for 50 yards and a score to pull the Rams within 4 in the 2nd quarter.
That performance was the most receiving yards by a rookie in NFL postseason history.
Until, Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers broke it just this last weekend with 197 yards in a loss to the Texans.
Despite having that record shattered in barely less than a year, and having his rookie reception leader benchmark broken by Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers to boot, the consensus still remains that Puka Nacua is very good at football.
Besides, he still hold the honors for the most rookie receiving yards at 1,486.
The Vikings themselves are very aware that Nacua remains one of their biggest obstacles in booking a weekend trip to Philadelphia.
During Week 8 of the regular season the Rams bested the Vikings, one of only two teams to do so this season and Nacua was a prime factor.
Coming off a 5 game absence due to injury, Nacua was activated at seemingly the last minute and shocked the Vikings defense.
On 9 targets and 7 grabs, Puka would eclipse the 100 yard barrier for the first time in the 2024 season with 106 yards for about 12 yards per target.
With success against the Vikings only months removed and big time results under the bright playoff lights a year ago, many will be looking at #17 to put forth an epic performance.
Kickoff is slated for 6:00 Mountain time tonight, as many eyes right here in Utah will shift towards the young talent hailing from Brigham Young University.
More From Sports Radio 97.7








