Puka Nacua’s star continues to rise in the NFL.
Nacua joined “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday following the Los Angeles Rams’ 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
The former BYU Cougar played a big role in the game, hauling in 12 catches for 162 receiving yards and a touchdown as well as 16 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
His performance garnered praise from Tom Brady, who was calling the game, as the Deseret News previously reported.
“There was so many great plays by you today,” Brady told Nacua after the game.
Here are the funniest moments from Nacua’s appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Midgame thoughts about being scammed
Nacua was asked about his midgame sideline thoughts during a shootout game like Sunday’s.
“Shoot, I’m not going to lie to you. I was thinking about in AAU basketball growing up, they used to give you these little like black wristbands that had the silver dot that they were like the balance bands. Middle of the game, Josh Allen’s driving and I’m like, ‘Yo, they scammed us with those balance (bands). They scammed us, bruh,’” Nacua said.
After the game, the receiver posted a screenshot on X of a “Power Balance” wristband and wrote, “Mid game thought. Yo who made this and where are they now.”
The wristbands in question are “a performance technology wristband with a distinctive hologram worn by millions of consumers and athletes worldwide. It is based on eastern philosophies,” according to Power Balance.
Why Puka Nacua shaved his beard
Nacua entered this season with long hair and a beard. He has since shaved the beard, and an insurance company is to blame for the decision.
Geico recently brought back their caveman commercials, and it made Nacua reconsider his new look.
“I don’t want everybody to be like, ‘Yo, is that Puka Nacua or the caveman guy?’” Nacua said. “I like to say I’m a physical guy (in) kind of old school football ways, but I was like, I don’t know if I want to go that old school. I don’t want to put that out there.”
McAfee told Nacua not to worry about it, saying, “You’re a handsome caveman.”
Finally knowing the Rams’ division
Sunday’s win put the Rams in second place in the NFC West and in the playoff hunt.
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter concluded his own appearance on the show as Nacua joined. But before Schefter left, he asked Nacua if he “understood where (the Rams) sit now in relation to the other teams in the NFC West?”
“I don’t know where we sit in standings to them, but I know we play somebody in our division now on Thursday,” Nacua said before laughing. “Hey, we won on Sunday. That’s what they ask for me to do.”
It was recently revealed that Nacua didn’t know which division the Rams played in when reporters asked Nacua on Nov. 21 if the tight race to win the NFC West affected the team’s approach every week, according to the Rams.
“No, if I’m being honest with you guys, somebody told me we’re in the NFC West, so that’s good to know, I guess. Yeah, one day at a time is my mentality. I feel like I say that to you guys a lot, but then it’s whatever game we have coming up on Sunday or whatever the day that week it falls on,” he said.
Bonus: Pat McAfee’s praise of Puka Nacua
McAfee asked Nacua if he feels like he’s getting better every week. The host pointed to Nacua’s third quarter circus catch along the sideline.
The same catch garnered praise from Brady, who called it “unbelievable,” as the Deseret News previously reported.
“When we’re watching you, we think you’re one, brother. You’re doing stuff that is just impeccable and obviously, your power, your speed, the way they use you, you’re flying around right now,” McAfee said.
Nacua and the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.