From Puka Nacua’s monster day against the Los Angeles Rams to more concerns about Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons, we take a look back at NFL Sundays in Week 14 of the season…
Today’s story…
“Are you kidding me?” exclaimed a hoarse-voiced Tom Brady in awe as he watched Puka Nacua’s spectacular toe-drag catch on the sideline Sunday night.
Everything about it was special. Tracking the ball over the shoulder, concentration in tight coverage, arm extension to pull the ball high out of the tightest window, hand technique to gain control, awareness of both feet dragging while imitating Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal alert. I’m trying to get out of there.
It was the poster image for Nacua’s night as the Rams’ wide receiver had 12 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown along with five carries for 16 yards and a career-high in a 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills. . -Season scoring games.
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Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold react to Josh Allen’s record-breaking performance in the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
It very quickly turned into a vintage Sean McVay-helmed Nacua jaunt. His first touchdown came via a backfield motion as a disguised ball carrier before the second-year star exploded for a 4-yard score and a 24-14 halftime lead. They were behind a screen for a 19-yard house call and were up 44-35 in the fourth quarter.
“He was amazing.” McVay said. “And he’s so strong physically and mentally. I love him. ‘Igniter’ is one of the biggest compliments I can give someone. You uplift everyone around you, and you bring energy to this football team. . And he certainly did that today.”
Nacua has recorded 50 catches for 673 yards and three touchdowns, including four 100-yard outings, since returning from injury in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings. In that time, he has accumulated a league-high 383 scrimmage yards since becoming active, with Jayden Reed being his closest competition at 168.
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Highlights from Week 14 of the NFL season between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams.
He has become a symbol of reliability and inevitability, capable of buying separation on any route, contorting himself following any pass and making fish of any caliber a major pest for McVay. Sunday’s performance was the offense’s best showing all season as the Rams totaled 457 yards to deny Josh Allen on a day when he threw three touchdowns and rushed for three more.
Nacua broke rookie records for receiving yards and receptions after arriving as a fifth-round pick in 2023. Can he maintain that influence? The only thing that seems likely to stop him this season is injuries. When Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams and Matthew Stafford are healthy and on the field together, the Rams can surprise the best the NFL has to offer.
There may not be a wide receiver currently playing the football better than the Rams’ No. 17. Los Angeles is currently 7-6 behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, having blunted the monster of the Bills, a team no one wants to face in the playoffs.
Today’s Chief’s Wharf
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On Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss whether the damage done to Patrick Mahomes will allow him to stay healthy for the rest of the season.
It happened again. Andy Reid couldn’t be seen. The Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t believe it. Matthew Wright and the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t really care.
The back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions won their 15th straight one-possession game Sunday night as Wright saw his own 31-yard field goal hit the uprights as time expired to secure a 19-17 win and his ninth straight win. I did it. AFC West Division title.
They won on Isaiah Likely’s big toe, survived overtime against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, blocked a game-winning field goal attempt as time expired against the Denver Broncos, and had Patrick Mahomes come to the rescue by scrambling for the set. After a buzzer-beating field goal against the Carolina Panthers, they capitalized on a dramatic last-minute fumble to break the hearts of the Las Vegas Raiders and turned to football on Sunday. When Wright’s kick landed on the right side of the post, he was divine once again.
Chiefs voodoo is real.
Today’s Bryce Young Comeback Story
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Highlights from Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles from Week 14 of the NFL season.
Bryce Young is starting to get it. He began to take stock of the situation. He’s starting to look like an NFL quarterback and potential franchise leader. His confidence is soaring, and with him is a phenomenal playmaker who deserves to be a top draft pick.
The latest installment of his comeback trail came against Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, where he again showed increased aggression with passes in traffic and elite pocket moves, despite failing to do so in a 22-16 loss. Platform and off-script.
The highlight came when, with three minutes to play in his own end zone, he climbed into the pocket, avoided pressure, shrugged off what he thought was a safety, and made a standout strike to Xavier Legette on the sideline to keep the game alive. . This was all Young was known to have graduated from college.
He was 19 of 34 for 191 yards, one touchdown and one interception. There’s still room for improvement, but recent weeks have been night and day for the shaky, inaccurate and handicapped Young, who has come a long way from becoming a star in the NFL.
midnight is today’s thought
New York soccer is in ruins. MetLife Stadium tickets ahead of Sunday’s kickoff between the Giants and New Orleans Saints are available for just $1 as New Yorkers make their feelings known about another sputtering losing campaign.
What’s more, some people even paid for a plane to fly over the stadium with a banner reading “MARA ENOUGH – PLEASE FIX THIS Dumpster Fire.”
The Giants lost for the 11th time this year and 8th straight after losing 14-11 to the Saints, and Graham Gano’s field goal attempt to send the game to overtime was blocked by Bryan Bresee.
This gave the Giants the second overall pick in the draft, raising additional questions about the futures of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. Once again, I feel change coming.
Today’s Thoughts on Monday Morning Coffee
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Highlights from the Atlanta Falcons against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14 of the NFL season.
The Atlanta Falcons are in danger of really messing this up. They handed Kirk Cousins a $180 million contract in the offseason, believing they had found the answer to their quarterback conundrum and a veteran play-caller to bridge the gap between a talented offense and a real postseason contender.
Cousins threw two more interceptions in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, meaning he has now thrown eight picks and zero touchdowns in the Falcons’ four-game losing streak. After dominating the NFC South, Atlanta now sits behind the Buccaneers and faces the possibility of missing the playoffs.
To add salt to the wound, Sam Darnold refused to go away and continued his incredible comeback season with the Vikings, throwing for 347 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jordan Addison continues to be one of the best No. 2 wide receivers in the entire league with eight catches for 133 yards and three scores, besting Justin Jefferson, who enjoyed his first visit to the end zone since October. So it was proven.
Michael Penix Jr is hiding in the wings.
congratulations king of the day
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Minnesota Vikings defensive backs Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus put on a show celebrating their pass interception by Kirk Cousins.
Next week brings another great celebration for Vikings duo Josh Metellus and Cam Bynum.
So far this season, they’ve pulled out the Parent Trap handshake, Bynum imitating viral breakdancer Raygun, and
They brought out the Parent Trap handshake, and Bynum imitated viral break dancers Raygun and Usher’s “Glitch” dance. And on Sunday, the two teamed up to do the White Chicks dance while celebrating an interception. The Vikings won the Good Vibes award.
Today’s ‘I Just Realized What Games We Have Next Week’
When this comes to mind, stay calm. Cancel your plans, book a Christmas movie night in advance for Friday or Saturday, and load up on elite snacks. Because it’s Sunday night between the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions.
It’s a meeting between two of the NFL’s most prolific offenses, with an MVP front-runner quarterback in Allen and Detroit’s possibly the most talented skill position group in the league. Super Bowl preview, anyone?
