Puka Nacua leads 8 teammates in Rams explosive victory in Week 14 over Cardinals

Oh ye of little faith. Well, you weren't alone, as this 10-3 Los Angeles Rams' game remained tied at 10 to 10 until just under three minutes remained in the first half. It was deja vu all over again, as the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals seemed to be impersonating the offensive strategies of the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.

Both the 49ers and Panthers upset LA with quick-pass tactics.

But this was the third time the defense had to face the short field passing zerg that had befuddled them before, and this time, defensive coordinator Chris Shual had an effective response. Even as the offense kept the pedal to the metal, the defense shut down the pesky Cardinals offense until they flipped to a prevent defense that allowed one final touchdown with the game already decided.

This was a game Los Angeles needed to win, and it showed. The offense punted three times, but only after putting up 31 points. The same offense put up 45 points, 530 yards, 30 first downs, and over 35 minutes of the game clock.

So, who were this week's heroes? Let's dive in and find out:

9 winners in Rams dominating victory in Week 9 over Cardinals

Winner 9: Offensive play calling

As perplexing as LA's willingness to abandon a productive running game in Week 13 was, the play-calling vindicated itself in Week 14 by sticking to the running game. There is a special thrill to fans when the Horns run the ball down the defense's throats, and the Cardinals defense had no answers for it.

3 running backs rushed 33 times for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Now, that is some superb running.

Winner 8: Inside linebacker Nate Landman

With so much passing going on from the Cardinals offense, Nate Landman didn't have a lot of work stuffing runs. So he picked off a pass from Cards quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Offenses have been getting measured success by attacking the defense with the short-passing tactics. It was nice to see Landman make them think twice in the future.

Winner 7: Tight end Colby Parkinson

While he is getting less work in 2025, veteran Colby Parkinson is finally starting to deliver to expectations. He hauled in three of five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, and has 221 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Ironically, he is the third-best receiver on the offense this season, and he proved why in this one.

Winner 6: Defensive lineman Kobie Turner

While third-year defender Kobie Turner has avoided the spotlight this season, he is every bit as productive and dangerous. In fact, he is even more versatile, as he's flipped from an interior pass-rusher to a run-stuffing pass-rusher role. In Week 14, he showed that versatility by recording one of three quarterback sacks on the day.

Winner 5: Running back Blake Corum

Former Michigan running back Blake Corum is certainly fulfilling his role this season. After a light workload as a rookie, he has burst onto the scene with the fury and passion of his college football days. He only needed 12 carries to put up 128 yards and two touchdowns. He's rushed 19 times for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the past two games.

Winner 4: Outside linebacker Byron Young

Byron Young is heating up again, boasting 11 quarterback sacks in 13 games this season. If his teammate Jared Verse brings the raw power of an earthquake to the line of scrimmage, then Young brings an avalanche. He harnesses power and speed as he stalks opposing quarterbacks. He was able to get four tackles, including a sack, in Week 14.

Winner 3: Running back Kyren Williams

Even as Corum has been hot of late, Kyren Williams is always ready. He not only rushed 13 times for 84 yards and a touchdown, but he also hauled in two passes for another 13 yards. He is nearly to his third consecutive 1000+ rushing yards season. Best of all, his lighter workload has restored his productivity this season to 4.9 yards per carry.

Winner 2: Quarterback Matthew Stafford

After a mistake-riddled Week 13, Matthew Stafford rebounded in this one to throw for 281 yards and three touchdowns. It was his eighth game of the season with multiple touchdown passes without an interception. How long can he keep this up? Well, as long as he does, LA will keep on winning.

Winner 1: Wide receiver Puka Nacua

It's difficult to express just how valuable Puka Nacua is to this offense. In Week 14, Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Nacua accounted for seven of eleven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. In many ways, he did the heavy lifting for the offense in this one, carrying the team to victory.

Nacua is the guy the offense relies upon against the most competent defenses, and he is typically unstoppable. Whenever he is on the football field, you just know that Matthew Stafford has a strong chance of winning the game.

It was a needed win. It was a good win. But it was still only one win. Now the Rams have to pivot to face the dastardly Detroit Lions,

As always, thanks for reading.