Nacua had 13 receptions and a career-high 170 receiving yards in helping the Rams hand the Colts their first loss of the 2025 season.
Less than three years into his NFL career, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has become a household name across the league.
On Sunday, the torrid start to his third season hit another milestone, as the former BYU and Orem High star set a regular-season career-high with 170 receiving yards on 13 receptions in a come-from-behind 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
His biggest catch of the day was a game-tying 9-yard touchdown grab with 3:20 to play, as he made his first touchdown reception with the Rams down seven and facing a fourth-and-2 at the Colts 9.
Puka's first receiving TD of the year!
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 28, 2025
📺 @NFLonFOX | #RamsHousepic.twitter.com/6sUdmYkifY
Following that score, Los Angeles won the game on its ensuing possession when veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and Tutu Atwell connected on an 88-yard touchdown.
Nacua was Stafford’s favorite target yet again, as Stafford targeted Nacua 15 times in the game.
Nacua, the focal point of the Rams passing attack, converted third downs three times in the first half with catches on Los Angeles’ first two scoring drives, both field goals. That included a 31-yard catch on a third-and-5 midway through the second quarter.
Prior to his 9-yard touchdown catch, Nacua caught a pass and fought his way for an 11-yard gain on third-and-13 to set Los Angeles up with the chance to convert a fourth down.
“(Nacua is) as tough as they come, did a (expletive) of a job again today. We called his number quite a few times,” Stafford said, per the team’s website.
“The fourth down was huge, the touchdown catch. He’s a heck of a football player. We’re lucky to have him on our team. I think his play style rubs off on everybody on our team, not just offense. I think our defense looks at him and is like, ‘(expletive), we’ll ride with that guy all day.’ And I know that’s how we feel on offense.”
Ws in the chat ‼️ pic.twitter.com/xiJjCIGpbB
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 29, 2025
Puka Nacua is off to a historic start in 2025
With two Monday night games before Week 4 is wrapped up, Nacua currently leads the NFL in receptions (42) and receiving yards (503).
His 42 receptions is 11 more than the next-closest player and his 503 receiving yards is 101 more than the second-best in that category.
The player most likely to cut significantly into those leading numbers in Monday night’s action is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has 21 receptions for 241 receiving yards.
Nacua Sunday became just the third player in NFL history to have eight or more catches in each of his team’s first four games, according to Rams PR, joining the Buffalo Bills’ Eric Moulds in 2002 and the Bengals’ T.J. Houshmandzadeh in 2007.
🫷 Can't talk, too busy watching Puka highlights
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 29, 2025
📺 @NFLonFOX | #RamsHousepic.twitter.com/PjV0ghQhEg
Four games into the 2025 season, Nacua is averaging 10.5 receptions and 125.75 receiving yards per game. Based on a 17-game regular season, Nacua is on pace to break both the league’s single-season receptions and receiving yards records.
The New Orleans Saints’ Michael Thomas set the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions in the 2019 season, while the Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson established the single-season receiving yards mark with 1,964 yards in 2012.
Based on his averages, Nacua is on pace for 178.5 receptions and 2,137.75 yards.
Nacua set the NFL rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) in 2023. The former was broken last season by Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who had 112 receptions as a rookie.
Puka Nacua by the numbers, 2025 season
- Week 1: W, 14-9 over Houston Texans — 10 receptions, 130 receiving yards; 1 carry, 1 rushing yard.
- Week 2: W, 33-19 over Tennessee Titans — 8 receptions, 91 receiving yards; 1 carry, 45 rushing yards, 1 touchdown.
- Week 3: L, 33-26 to Philadelphia Eagles — 11 receptions, 112 receiving yards; 1 carry, 6 rushing yards.
- Week 4: W, 23-20 over Indianapolis Colts — 13 receptions, 170 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
- Totals: 42 receptions, 503 receiving yards, 1 touchdown; 3 carries, 52 rushing yards, 1 touchdown.
Category: General Sports
