'Like The Video Game': Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua 'In Shock' Over Walk-Off TD
The Los Angeles Rams had no momentum in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts.
They had kicked a field goal on their opening drive of the third quarter but didn't score the rest of regulation, allowing the Colts to come roaring back and tie the game 23-23. They say that overtime is like starting a new game, and the Rams took that message to heart, driving down the field in the extra period like they did in the first quarter.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford rifled a 22-yard throw to wide receiver Puka Nacua, who fought through a pair of Colts defenders into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown and the first of his magnificent start to his career.
"Just like the video game, you keep pausing when you lose so you can make sure you get the right play at the very end," Nacua said after Los Angeles' 29-23 overtime win. "It was sweet. I already called my mom and all my siblings. Just constant screaming. I think I screamed for like 10 minutes straight out there."
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) dives into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday. The Rams won 29-23.
USA TODAY Sports
The Colts' defense flipped a switch in the second half, limiting Stafford's down-field passing game. Stafford was 9-of-17 for 74 yards, an interception and a sack in the second half — a stark contrast to his 14-for-18, 183-yard first half.
But, Indianapolis' defense broke down on Los Angeles' lone drive in the overtime period, as Stafford completed four of his five passes for 60 yards and the walk-off touchdown.
That's what made the final play so weird. There were no Colts defenders around Nacua at the time he caught the ball — a play Stafford thought was a busted coverage.
"I'm looking down the middle like, 'Man, I'm not seeing somebody in there,'" Stafford said. "Threw it a little bit high, just thinking there was somebody standing there and there wasn't."
What about from the receiver's viewpoint?
"I could tell by the ball he was trying to hold me in the zone, so I was like, 'OK, I'm not running through this,'" Nacua said. "I turned around and I was like, 'Wait, there's nobody here,' so I just tried to find the end zone, saw the safety coming, made a move on him. I was in shock as well."
Nacua is on a good pace to begin his career, but as the final play against Indianapolis showed, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
