The Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in overtime, improving to 4-4 on the season.
After suffering an injury scare in practice, Puka Nacua wound up playing on Sunday. However, the second-year wideout didn’t have much of an impact on the game as he finished with one catch and 11 yards on four targets.
Nacua was ejected late in the second quarter after throwing a punch at Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson. The scuffle proved costly as an unnecessary roughness penalty on Nacua helped Seattle score a touchdown right before halftime.
Nacua discussed the moments that led up to the ejection and said he was trying to defend himself, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com:
“There were some things said earlier in the game and just letting my emotions get the best of me and reacting instead of responding kind of in that moment,” Nacua said when asked what happened on the play. “I knew the play was down after the interception, and he just had some hands on me while I was trying to get blocked off. So, I was just making sure I could defend myself and get ready to see whatever was happening for the next play.”
Nacua is often praised by his Rams coaches and teammates for the emotion he shows on the field. However, Nacua admitted that he let his emotions get the best of him at a crucial point in the game.
It was a good learning experience for the 23-year-old, who will know to just walk away from similar situations in the future.
Fortunately for Nacua, the ejection did not have an effect on the outcome of the game as the Rams were able to storm back for an important win against an NFC West rival.
Demarcus Robinson stepped up in a big way after Nacua was sent to the locker room as he caught six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
Next up for Rams
The Rams will look to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 10.
The matchup is notable in that Jalen Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr. will be returning to SoFi Stadium for the first time since leaving the Rams via trade and free agency, respectively. Both players were instrumental in helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI two years ago.
