GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Puka Nacua sprinted off the line of scrimmage, hesitated as if he was going to cut off the route, then blew past past the defender.
The ball slightly underthrown, the Los Angeles Rams receiver slowed down and soared above the defensive back before backing into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown.
A master of tough catches, Nacua put on a show while finishing with seven receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 45-17 thumping of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
"To be able to win on the double move, some of the catches he's making — it's contested catches and he's pulling guys in —he's a freaking stud," Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I love Puka.”
It's hard not to — at least when he's on your team.
A fifth-round pick, No. 177 overall, in the 2023 NFL draft, Nacua has developed into one of the NFL’s most productive receivers.
Nacua had the benefit of learning from former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp — now in Seattle — and had a rookie-record 1,486 yards in his first season. Nacua missed six games last season, yet still finished with 79 catches for 990 yards.
When Los Angeles added Davante Adams, Nacua was thrilled to learn from another of the league’s best receivers, even changing his number to accommodate the six-time Pro Bowler.
The latest collaboration has worked out well for Nacua.
Despite missing a game with a foot injury, Nacua arrived in the desert tied for second in the NFL with 86 catches and was third with 1,019 yards.
With his big day against the Cardinals, Nacua passed New Orleans' Michael Thomas for the most career receptions through 40 games with 277. He also moved up to 13th in Rams history for receptions and 14th in receiving yards — in just his third season.
“We had some opportunities. I tried to put the ball in the right place and he made some great plays — like he always does,” said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cardinals learned the hard way.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound receiver made a nifty one-handed catch with a defender draped on his back and added another just before falling out of bounds on a back-shoulder throw by Stafford. He closed the first half with a 28-yard touchdown over the middle just before halftime, shrugging off two defenders to bull his way into the end zone to give the Rams a 24-10 lead.
Nacua had 136 yards receiving by halftime, the fourth time he’s had at least 100 in a half and 16th since 2023, tied for most in the NFL. He added the 31-yard touchdown over Arizona cornerback Will Johnson for his first career two-TD game.
“Normally you don’t come in with too many touchdown celebrations, so I’m going to have to start coming with more in pocket,” Nacua said. “But it felt good the way we were executing on offense and getting into the end zone.”
Nacua may need to work on his celebrations, but the rest of his game is causing plenty of consternation for opposing teams.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, center, pulls in a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, pulls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke, right, defends in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
France, Scotland or Ireland will clinch the most fun Six Nations in years on Saturday.
Predictions have been torn up and one last twist in the final round of a gripping championship would not surprise.
France is in pole position to win successive titles for the first time since 2006-07. France leads Scotland in the table only on points difference. Its massive though. Ireland is two points behind.
The French have the advantage of closing the championship at a packed Stade de France against an underwhelming England, knowing what they will need to do four hours after Ireland hosts Scotland in Dublin.
Scotland blew open the title race after destroying France's Grand Slam hopes 50-40 in Edinburgh last Saturday.
Scotland's most basic route to a first title since the 1999 Five Nations is beating Ireland and France losing to England. But Scotland hasn't beaten Ireland since 2017 and not in Dublin since 2010. Ireland has been the graveyard of Scotland dreams in their last 11 contests.
Ireland's simplest path to a third title in four years is beating Scotland and also hoping England beats France.
A draw and/or bonus points spin out the scenarios.
Ireland and Scotland are also in the first showdown since 2009 for the Triple Crown, awarded to the home nation which beats the other three home nations. Ireland won it in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Scotland last won it in 1990.
The championship goes into the last round with a first three-way title shootout since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an October finish. England won on points difference after Ireland and France couldn't meet scoring requirements.
The other Six Nations match on Saturday is also tasty: Wales hosts Italy in Cardiff. Wales is trying to end a 15-match losing streak in the tournament; Italy is trying for three wins in a single championship for the first time.
Fabien Galthié, France: “We don’t dwell on what just happened (against Scotland), we focus on what's coming next. What matters to us is that we've earned the right to play for the win on Saturday. We'll assess the tournament with its highs and lows later. In this Six Nations championship everything can change from one day to the next. All six teams have experienced positive periods and more challenging times. But the most important thing is that we have the opportunity to play for the win on Saturday night. And that's what motivates us.”
Gregor Townsend, Scotland: “No (I haven't thought of winning the title). It's out of our hands, really. We can only do a certain amount. It's a game against an opponent that's had the upper hand on us for years. It's a challenge but a real opportunity for us to go and deliver an even better performance than we did last week. If we win the game we know there's something at stake. That performance (against France) was close to the best that we've seen from this group and from probably any Scotland team. I think the belief is there that when we get our game right it can put pressure on any defense, and when we get our defense in place we can frustrate opposition. But this is a different challenge. Ireland seem to play very well against us so that's what we’re expecting.”
Andy Farrell, Ireland: “Of course you would like to dream (of the title) but the rest is out of our hands. But something is in our hands and we will focus on our performance, first and foremost. It would be nice to win something that is pretty special for us and that's the Triple Crown. It's been hard to come by over the years when playing for Ireland so we're desperate to get across that. (Scotland) were outstanding against France and we have been preparing for another Scottish performance like that. We'll have to be at our best to beat them as they are a side we have always respected.”
Super Saturday
Ireland vs. Scotland, Dublin, 1410 GMT
Wales vs. Italy, Cardiff, 1640 GMT
France vs. England, Paris, 2010 GMT
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Ireland's players celebrate after their teammate Jamie Osborne scored a try during a Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Wales in Dublin, Ireland, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Scotland's Kyle Steyn celebrates scoring a try during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
France's Antoine Dupont and Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, left, in action during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
