After another impressive season for the Los Angeles Rams offense, wide receiver Puka Nacua has gotten off to a slow start against the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL playoffs.
With the two teams locked in a close battle, will the Rams be able to unlock their league-leading receiver?
What Happened to Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua?
Nacua was an important asset in the Rams’ matchup against the Carolina Panthers during Wild Card Weekend, as the First-team All-Pro wideout caught ten of 18 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown; he also rushed three times for 14 yards and another trip to the end zone. Despite the regular-season and Wild Card Round success, it hasn’t come easily against the Bears.
Through three quarters in the Rams Divisional Round matchup against Chicago, Nacua has caught just three of eight targets for 27 yards. While both offenses have struggled to get going, the Rams’ group of impressive offensive weapons has failed to get going against the Bears’ 22nd-ranked defense, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric.
While Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba stole the show in 2025, Nacua dropped jaws all season long, catching 129 of 166 targets for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns. He would add ten carries for 105 yards and another trip to the end zone. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, despite Smith-Njigba’s incredible campaign, Nacua was ranked better as the NFL’s No. 1 wideout with a score of 98.2.
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The Rams have dominated PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, ranking as the top offense for most of the league behind performances from quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams, and, of course, Nacua and fellow wide receiver Davante Adams. Their score of 92.3 was considerably higher than the New England Patriots’ 86.6, who come in at second overall.
Thankfully, the defense has allowed the Rams’ offense to survive amid their struggles, but with two tough outings to start the 2026 NFL playoffs, will the Rams be able to overcome a matchup against the NFL’s No. 3-ranked defense according to DEFi?
Seattle was dominant against the San Francisco 49ers in their playoff debut following their first-round bye. It will be quite the matchup if the Rams hold on to their 17-10 lead. But Los Angeles is going to need more from their offense if they are going to take down the Seahawks’ suffocating defensive front.
While Williams has found some light in the rushing game, the Seahawks’ defensive front is suffocating. Head coach Sean McVay is going to need a top-notch performance from Stafford and the passing game, and that means more from Nacua if Los Angeles wants to make another trip to the Super Bowl.
