#puka-nacua

#puka-nacua

Puka became PBU-ka. That's shorthand for Pass Breakup, and Nacua executed that beautifully on a soft, high pass from Matthew Stafford that sailed over Nacua's head and into the hands of leaping Panthers safety Nick Scott, who was falling back into the end zone. Nacua, who scored back-to-back touchdowns early in the game, suddenly became a defender and jarred the ball loose before Scott could secure it.

The Rams held a commanding 30-14 lead against the Seattle Seahawks in fourth quarter of Thursday night's game. Suddenly, the Seahawks came surging back before eventually tying it on an extremely controversial two-point conversion. In overtime, the Rams scored on the opening drive when quarterback Matthew Stafford found Nacua for a 41-yard touchdown. In response, the Seahawks marched down the field to score a touchdown of their own. Instead of tying it, however, the Seahawks attempted yet another two-point conversion to go for the win.

"Oh, a hundred percent," Nacua answered matter-of-factly. "Yes, the refs are the worst." These guys are lawyers, and like really they want to be on TV, too, bro," Nacua said. "You don't think he's texting his friends in the group chat like, 'Yo, you guys just saw me on "Sunday Night Football." Like, that wasn't [pass interference], but I called it.' "I mean, these guys are normal human beings, too."

Watch Puka Nacua on the sideline before each offensive possession, and you'll see the Los Angeles receiver ask a teammate to hit his pads. Hard. Players from tight end Tyler Higbee to left guard Steve Avila, tackle AJ Arcuri and former Rams center Brian Allen have participated in the ritual over Nacua's three years in the league. Nacua said he has a "mixture of guys" who have done it, but he's picky: "I want somebody who's got a good slap in them," Nacua said. "I don't want them to baby me, for sure."

Los Angeles (2-0) have been just as efficient. The Rams started the year with a hard-fought 14-9 victory over the Houston Texans before flexing their offensive firepower in a 33-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. Matthew Stafford has looked sharp, and second-year receiver Puka Nacua has quickly emerged as one of the breakout stars of the league.