By Ron Johnson
It was a game that had little meaning if you are a Niners fan but major meaning if you are a Rams fan. While a win ensures that the Rams will fully lock up the sixth seed in the NFC side of the playoffs, it was about one player in particular on this day: Puka Nacua. With several records ready to be broken on this day, Nacua shined in front of his family in his first trip back to the Bay since being drafted earlier this year.
Puka Nacua did not disappoint on this day either.
While Carson Wentz, in his first action since last season, finished with 163 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception, the spotlight was on Nacua as he broke a 63-year-old record for most receiving yards by a rookie in NFL history.
Nacua finished with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown, including breaking Groman’s record for receiving yards and broke the record for most receptions in a rookie season as the Los Angeles Rams held on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 21-20 to lock up the sixth seed and set up a reunion tour with Detroit in next weekend’s Super Wild Card.
The Rams Defense stepped up in bunches as they spent the afternoon terrorizing Sam Darnold who started in place of Brock Purdy. Michael Hoecht, Desjuan Johnson and Byron Young contributed a sack each, including the game sealing strip sack that allowed Wentz to take a kneel down to seal their playoff fate. Brett Maher, returning to the Rams after Lucas Havrisik was cut last week, managed to for one-for-two on PATs for the Rams.
Danger is too light of a word to use for these Rams as they have gone from a 5-12 record last season to finish 10-7 and clinch a playoff spot nearly two years after winning the Super Bowl.
