The LA Rams did not win in Week 14, but to my eyes this was a team that certainly wanted to win. The LA Rams fought and scrapped with the Baltimore Ravens into overtime before falling to a special teams unicorn, a punt return touchdown. Quite a few have pointed out the fact that the touchdown should never have happened due to an egregious block in the back by a Ravens player, but you can decide for yourself:
#Ravens seemed to have gotten away with a block in the back on their game winning punt returnβ¦ π
β JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 10, 2023
A lot of missed calls by the refs lately.
(Via: @CharlesRobinson)
pic.twitter.com/Q4KQfwiLw0
You hate to see a game end on a controversial play. Whether the official calls a penalty that is not obvious, or fails to call a penalty that is obvious, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of NFL fans who simply want consistent officiating.
The outcome of the game may not have gone the Rams way, but don't think for a moment that Baltimore Ravens players are not in awe of what the Rams players are doing this season. One player who is getting a lot of recognition and respect from Ravens players is LA Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua. And if you don't believe me, just listen to Raven offensive tackle Morgan Moses in the interview below.
After the game Morgan Moses went up to Puka Nacua and asked for his jersey. He says his three boys love him and "they couldn't come to the game today so my job my number one task, besides protecting Lamar, was to make sure I got his jersey." #RavensFlock #RamsHouse @AsapPuka⦠pic.twitter.com/t2adG3Djax
β Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) December 10, 2023
So why would a Ravens player want a Rams player's jersey? NFL players are fathers too, and their children are already busy scribing their wish lists for presents from Santa Claus. But even Santa needs help sometimes, and Morgan Moses wanted to make sure that his children have a very merry Christmas morning.
We have pointed out the fact rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua is not just a great rookie wide receiver, but he remains among the Top 5 NFL receivers this season. In just 13 games, he has gained 1,113 receiving yards, placing him among some very reputable receivers in NFL history
Rams WR Puka Nacua now has 1,113 receiving yards in his career, joining Odell Beckham, Anquan Boldin and Randy Moss as the only players in the Super Bowl era with 1,100-plus receiving yards in their first 13 career games, per @NFLResearch https://t.co/RtNKAeqoBy pic.twitter.com/39Ym5SJIZS
β Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 11, 2023
Why wouldn't an opposing player want an heirloom like that for his children? Not only does it brighten their Christmas, but it could very likely be quite valuable if preserved and kept for the future.
Come to think of it, perhaps I should add one of Puka Nacua's jerseys to my own Christmas wish list?