With the NFL’s regular season now over, people are waiting to see who will win the league’s individual honors for 2023.
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua had a sensational year with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards, both of which are new league rookie records, plus six touchdowns.
He was named to the Pro Bowl, and he particularly came on strong down the stretch of the schedule.
Therefore, it is little surprise that he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month for December and January, per the Rams’ official Twitter account.
🗣️PUUUUUUKA!@AsapPuka is the @NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December/January! 👏 pic.twitter.com/pWGzNoduTf
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 11, 2024
Nacua was only a fifth-round draft pick out of Brigham Young University, and in two seasons there, his stats weren’t that impressive.
But he had at least 119 receiving yards in three of the first four games this season, and it was starting to become clear that he was special.
The Rams were just 3-6 in early November, and it looked like they were out of the running for a playoff spot, but they won seven of their last eight games to finish 10-7 and claim a playoff spot.
Nacua has given them new blood after they went 5-12 last season and looked long in the tooth following their Super Bowl championship two seasons ago.
Los Angeles will visit the 12-5 Detroit Lions on Sunday to begin the playoffs, and it will mark the return of quarterback Matthew Stafford to his old stomping grounds.
Thanks to Nacua, it looks like the Rams have at least a puncher’s chance of leaving Ford Field with an upset victory.
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