Puka Nacua didn’t put up the kind of glitzy numbers he’s become known for in the Los Angeles Rams’ NFC divisional-round playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, as neither team had its usual efficiency through the air in the snowy, frigid field conditions at Soldier Field.
Nacua, though, found ways to make an impact — and it paid off as the Rams prevailed 20-17 in overtime.
His biggest play of the night came in the extra session, with Los Angeles facing a third and 6 from the Chicago 43.
Nacua caught a short pass and broke through a tackle attempt, then turned upfield and dragged Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson several yards en route to a 13-yard gain to the Chicago 27.
With the opportunity to win the game with any kind of score, four plays later, kicker Harrison Mevis hit the game-winning 42-yard field goal to send the Rams to the next round.
Nacua, the former BYU and Orem High standout, finished the game with a team-high five receptions for 56 yards and added two carries for six yards.
Every single one of his touches came on a scoring drive, and he converted three third downs with receptions to extend drives.
In the fourth quarter, Nacua’s jet sweep carry was another huge moment in the high-stakes contest.
With Los Angeles driving in a tie game, the Rams faced a fourth and 1 at the Chicago 7-yard line. Nacua went in motion and took the handoff, then picked up enough to move the ball to the Bears 5.
On the next play, running back Kyren Williams scored to give Los Angeles a 17-10 lead with 8:50 to play.
The game ended up going to overtime thanks to some Bears heroics when Caleb Williams, scrambling 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage, threw deep on fourth down and found Cole Kmet for a touchdown with 18 seconds to play.
The ensuing successful extra point forced the extra session.
In overtime, though, Williams threw an interception that set up the Rams’ game-winning field goal drive.
Now, Nacua and the Rams will hit the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game on Jan. 25, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8.
Johnson, the former University of Utah cornerback, drew the matchup against Nacua much of the game, and he finished with three tackles, including two solo stops.
He helped the Bears secondary hold Matthew Stafford to an under 50% completion percentage, as Stafford completed 20 of 42 passes for 258 yards.
While Nacua was targeted 10 times, he only had the five receptions.
Former Southern Utah and Murray High offensive tackle Braxton Jones was activated off injured reserve by Chicago this week, but was not active for the game.