Troy Aikman stuns NFL with over-the-top claim about Rams Puka Nacua

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams were bound to struggle in Week 17. The Rams entered Week 17 with no true playoff impact on the line and with a number of key veterans sitting out. And if you think the Week 17 roster is bad, just wait until you see how many players sit out in Week 18.

Matthew Stafford is throwing to multiple receivers, but few players have much quality experience. The lone go-to guy is Nacua. And the Atlanta Falcons secondary knows it.

By the end of the first quarter, Puka Nacua had only hauled in one of two catches for 10 yards. Still, that didn't stop Troy Aikman from making one more bold claim from the broadcast booth. The truth is that the

"This guy is as physical at the point of the catch as anyone I have seen since Michael Irvin"

Troy Aikman about Rams WR Puka Nacua

Nacua had a huge 41-yard reception wiped away due to a penalty on backup left tackle DJ Humphries. With that penalty, Nacua has hauled in just one of three passes. And with the team falling behind a score of 14-0, the team is almost certainly going to pivot to a heavy pass-centric offense for the remainder of this game.

End of First Half

Los Angeles Rams 0
Atlanta Falcons 21

Puka Nacua may be the lone offensive weapon in Week 17

As the first half winds down, LA's offense is struggling. Both running backs are averaging just 2.6 yards per carry (behind a makeshift offensive line). Quarterback Matthew Stafford has completed just seven of 14 passes for 76 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. One interception was a pick-six.

The run defense has coughed up 125 rushing yards to Falcons running back Bijon Robinson, all of which came in the first half. Not only is this a horrific game for the defense once more, but this was a game in which the defense was supposed to tune up for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, DC Chris Shula has placed his defense's vulnerabilities on display for every playoff team to witness and study. That's the exact opposite of what this team needed to do.

Puka Nacua has had some great games. So far, he has caught two of four for 18 yards. He will need a huge second half just to keep pace with his seasonal average. But down 21 points, you can't expect miracles. Los Angeles seems to be content to finish the season at 11-6.

Healthy? Perhaps. But this team is digging a huge hole, and that is difficult to climb out of as the playoffs arrive.

As always, thanks for reading.