LA Rams WR Puka Nacua must bring his A-game on Week 12 for a victory

Even as the LA Rams defense will have its hands completely filled with the Philadelphia Eagles offense, we have to acknowledge that the offense has to do its part to have a chance of a victory in Week 12. Of course, the line of scrimmage will be where the action is on Sunday Night Football. If you want to get a pregame breakdown of the Rams offensive line for this one, you are invited to check out our Clash of the Titans article from earlier in the week.

But this game is about more than the line of scrimmage. The Eagles have a young but very accomplished secondary. But the Rams receivers are renowned, not just for the fact that they play well, but due to the fact that both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have had their names written in the NFL record books over the past three seasons.

Now it’s time to show some young defensive backs why they are considered two of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

Let’s be fair. Neither Kupp nor Nacua lead the NFL in receiving yards this season. But with Kupp playing just six games, and Nacua playing just five games out of 10, that is understandable. The offense has not been itself without the two stars catching passes. But that could all be changing, as the Rams offense had both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp playing together in Week 11. And the result was both receivers putting up over 100+ receiving yards, and Kupp scoring two touchdowns and Nacua scoring one touchdown.

Nacua’s touchdown reception was a thing of beauty.

While Puka Nacua is himself a great receiver, his presence on the football field allows all of the other intricate weapons on the offense. With Nacua on the football field, veteran WR Demarcus Robinson draws the less talented defensive backs. And that presence of Nacua almost ensures that the defense will be less focused on RB Kyren Williams. Even TE Colby Parkinson gets softer coverage.

The Rams will need huge games from anyone and everyone on the offensive side of the football. After all, the front office threw sacks of cash at offensive players with the intent of letting the offense lead the way in 2024. Now is the time for that investment to pay dividends.

The Rams offense has been notoriously bad at getting off to a good start. But if the Rams fall behind the Eagles, Saquon Barkley and company will make it very difficult for the Rams to reclaim the lead. The offense needs to come out firing in this one. And for that to happen, Puka Nacua needs to bring his A-game.

Thanks for reading.