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Puka Nacua has exploded onto the scene in the NFL. The rookie wide receiver was a key cog in the Los Angeles Rams' Week 1 upset win over the Seattle Seahawks -- and in Week 2, he made NFL history.
With his 10th catch of the afternoon against the San Francisco 49ers, Nacua set a new record for receptions through a rookie's first two games -- and even in the losing effort, Nacua is already establishing himself as one of the most important Rams and a shock contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stafford's new favorite target
After star wideout Cooper Kupp was placed on injured reserve shortly before the start of the season, fans and analysts alike were unsure where the Rams would go offensively. Quarterback Matthew Stafford no longer had his favored target, a player who was the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 and guided Los Angeles to a Super Bowl triumph.
But along came Puka, the 177th overall selection in the 2023 draft -- and the savior of the Los Angeles offense. Nacua made 10 catches for 119 yards in Seattle to kick off the season, helping the Rams to a 30-13 win. And even though the 49ers held off the Rams 30-23 in Week 2, Nacua continued to shine -- he hauled in 15 catches for a game-high 147 yards.
The 15 receptions are an NFL record for a rookie wide receiver, and Nacua's presence has helped Stafford and head coach Sean McVay mitigate the loss of Kupp, who will miss at least the next two games through injury.
Have the Rams uncovered a gem?
The Rams have unloaded several high-value draft picks in recent years in order to build a Super Bowl contender. The gambit worked -- Los Angeles, after acquiring Stafford in a high-profile trade with Detroit, won Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season.
But after a losing season in 2022, the pressure is on for Los Angeles to find value in unexpected places. Nacua, a fifth-round pick this spring, is an example of the kind of "steal" the Rams' front office will need to find in order to remain competitive while the cupboard is restocked over the next few years.
It remains to be seen what the rookie's role will be once Kupp returns from injury, but McVay might rejoice at having two legitimate, high-quality options for Stafford moving forward.
49ers fend off Rams in close contest
Nacua's heroics were not quite enough for Los Angeles on Sunday, as the defending NFC West champion 49ers came to SoFi Stadium and left with a seven-point win.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy improved to 7-0 in the regular season with an efficient afternoon against the Rams defense. Purdy went 17-of-25 for 206 yards and did not throw a touchdown or an interception, while Christian McCaffrey ed for 135 total yards and a rushing touchdown.
Stafford completed 34 of 55 es for 307 yards, but he threw two interceptions that cost the Rams dearly. Los Angeles ran more plays than San Francisco, and the Rams outgained the 49ers 386-365, but the visitors had a huge 159-89 advantage on the ground that helped them seal the win.