Puka Nacua and the Los Angeles Rams came up short against the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football,” unable to overcome a slew of miscues, and the defense failed to slow down Bijan Robinson when it mattered.
After the contest, Nacua spoke candidly, particularly regarding one play that would have altered the course of the game and, perhaps, the outcome.
It may be a footnote on the list of items to discuss with the league just from this loss, though.
Puka Nacua’s Comments Resurface After Controversial Play
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Nacua’s comments after the Rams’ loss to the Falcons were far different from some that he made before and after LA’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, for which the Pro Bowl wide receiver received a $25,000 fine.
Specifically, the NFL fined Nacua for suggesting that officials call non-existent penalties to garner camera time.
However, those previous sentiments resurfaced after officials missed a pass interference.
Before the upheld call ruling that Nacua’s reception was incomplete, Matthew Stafford had Tutu Atwell running deep down the field, but he failed to connect. However, replays revealed a different story, as Falcons cornerback Dee Alford pinned Atwell’s arm.
What should have been a pass interference call was summarily dismissed by officials. It did not go unnoticed by broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, though.
“I tell you, they may have missed a pass interference,” Buck said with Aikman agreeing.
ESPN rules analyst Rusell Yurk also agreed, saying Alford and Atwell were “hand fighting” at first, but adding that “the second time, he holds the left arm down right when he’s trying to make the catch. That’s a pass interference.”
“It could be absolutely hard in real-time, because you see them hand-fighting off each other. It is a foul, though.”
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio called missed PI calls the NFL’s “biggest officiating issue.”
Florio noted that the non-call cost the Rams an opportunity to try reaching the end zone while already in range for a game-tying field goal attempt. Nacua and the Rams may agree, but they have also already noted their many missed opportunities well before that play.
Puka Nacua Gets Honest About Head-Turning Non-Catch
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a first down against the Baltimore Ravens.
Nacua finished with five receptions for 47 yards on 10 targets in the Rams’ loss. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted on X that Nacua “should have close to 200” were it not for his “incredible efforts negated by penalties or reviews.
On a critical third-and-10 in the fourth quarter with the Rams trailing the Falcons 27-24, Stafford found Nacua for what officials called an incomplete pass that turned heads.
Officials upheld the decision, but Nacua disagreed on the stir-causing, one-handed grab.
“Last-minute plays, trying to find any way to make a play. I thought–I felt pretty confident my feet were in. I felt like I knew where I was at on the sideline. And from the catch I saw, I didn’t feel like I was out of bounds,” Nacua told reporters postgame.
“Had another opportunity and didn’t come down with it. And I just think of the opportunities that we had early on in the first half when we’re coming up with third downs, and we’re not getting open. So, the things that I can control, and I got to do a better job of being able to find a way to execute early in the half, so we don’t put ourselves in those type of situations.”
Stafford went back to Nacua on fourth down, but again the duo could not connect, which was far too often the case during the contest for the former MVP favorite QB.
Stafford shouldered the blame for not playing well enough after a three-interception night.
Nacua and the Rams–who missed, among others, Davante Adams–have lost back-to-back games and three of their last five outings. They must win in Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals. They also need the Seahawks to beat the San Francisco 49ers to avoid being the six-seed.
Odell Beckham Jr. Reacts to Puka Nacua on Historic Night
GettyOdell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the bench area against the Cincinnati Bengals.
That failed catch and the review was still one of their most critical misses, if only because of the effort to haul it in.
Former Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was among those baffled by the call.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYY [fire emojis],” Beckham posted in the comments underneath a clip of the play shared by ESPN on X during the game. “HOW IS THIS NO CATCH!?!??”
Nacua had two plays and a total of 66 yards taken away due to penalties. Both were because of infractions committed by Rams left tackle D.J. Humphries.
Humphries struggled mightily in place of the injured Alaric Jackson.
One of those plays was a touchdown pass. Nacua would ultimately cap that drive with a score, but the Rams lost valuable time off the clock. Despite the relatively quiet night for Nacua, he notched some more historic accomplishments.
Nacua became the fastest player to reach 300 career receptions. He surpassed Beckham and former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas, per Los Angeles Rams PR.
He also passed Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for 12th place in receiving yards in Rams history.
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