Rams' Puka Nacua sends clear message to NFL in thrilling win over Colts

The Los Angeles Rams offense is not finding it easy through the early part of the season. Whether due to tough defenses or not, the ability of the offense to get into the end zone has been a rather hit-or-miss affair this season.

But that is not to say that the offense is lacking stars. In many ways, LA may have one of the best offensive weapons in the league.

After four games, wide receiver Puka Nacua is having a breakout season. That alone is saying quite a bit for a guy who set all-time NFL rookie receiving records in 2023. But after the release of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles showed extreme confidence in its young offensive star.

And, so far this season, he is delivering.

With 333 receiving yards in three games. Nacua has been one of the most effective offensive weapons in the NFL, let alone in LA's offense.

But he was not done just yet. With an offense determined to make this a defensive struggle, the Rams found it necessary to lean heavily on the former BYU receiver one more time in Week 4's home showdown with the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.

And with the game touch-and-go from the opening kickoff, his performance catching 13-of-15 for 170 yards and a touchdown was vital.

Rams need to find Nacua some help in this offense

In a game in which LA's offense put up 460 yards, the star receiver accounted for nearly 37 percent of the yardage gained. Opposing defenses know this, and yet he has not been stopped once. His Week 4 total pushes his season total to 503 receiving yards.

That averages out to better than 125 receiving yards per game.

The question is: Can he sustain that meteoric pace though 17 games this season?

The Horns finally broke out of an offensive slumber with a two-touchdown eruption in the fourth quarter. But it was Nacua's touchdown reception that got it started. Los Angeles is finding ways to win, however unlikely the circumstances.

For a team that is 3-1, there is plenty to digest from this victory. But one message is staring defensive coordinators in the face: Nacua is impossible to stop after four games, and he keeps getting better. The Rams have relied upon their star receiver to come through in the clutch.

And he continues to come through.

Is this an All-Pro season for the LA's top receiver? While it's too soon to call it, the seeds for a huge season have been planted. At his current pace, he is on track to eclipse the current NFL all-time single-season receiving record of 1,964 yards set by Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in 2012. Curiously, his quarterback was Matthew Stafford.

Just one more curious coincidence.

As always, thanks for reading.

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