After defeating the New York Giants and with some assistance from the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous week, the Los Angeles Rams have returned to the postseason.
The Rams have decided to rest their star players for their season finale against San Francisco, as many other NFL clubs are also doing.
However, rookie standout Puka Nacua of the Rams was left off of the roster of players who will sit against the Niners on Sunday.
So why is Nacua suiting up on Sunday against one of the most physical teams in the NFL? Because he has an opportunity to make history.
I think you’d like to be able to see him get an opportunity to do something special and then be smart with him,” coach Sean McVay explained.
McVay, of course, is referring to Nacua’s chance to break the NFL record for receiving yards and receptions in a season by a rookie.
Nacua currently has 1,445 yards, only trailing Billy Groman’s 1,473-yard mark from 1960 by 28 yards. He also has 101 receptions this season, trailing Jaylen Waddle’s 2021 record mark of 104 by just three receptions.
In other words, after Nacua hits his mark of four receptions for 29 yards, and passes Groman and Waddle, he is likely heading to the bench to stay – but he will be doing so after wrapping up the best season for a rookie receiver in the history of the NFL.
Better than names such as Ja’marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp, Randy Moss, Anquon Boldin, Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans, Calvin Johnson – you name it.
Obviously, that could be easier said than done against a good 49ers defense, and without his normal QB Matthew Stafford throwing him passes. That said, backup Carson Wentz should be more than capable of helping Nacua set his new all-time mark.
But even if Nacua comes up short for some reason, it will still be a season to remember, and one that could earn him the NFL Rookie of the Year Award.
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