Puka Nacua Stats: Rams Beat Bills 44-42

Finding reliable Puka Nacua stats after a wild NFL shootout can be frustrating because the scoring pace hides key efficiency details. The Rams-Bills Week 14 game produced 86 combined points, making it easy to miss how Los Angeles controlled critical third downs. This breakdown fixes that by isolating Puka Nacua’s production, the turnover margin, and the red-zone execution that decided the 44-42 result.

Puka Nacua Leads Los Angeles Rams to a 44-42 Shootout Victory Over Buffalo Bills

The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in front of 74,128 fans. The Rams won 44-42 in a Week 14 game that swung between explosive pass plays and red-zone stops. Puka Nacua finished with 12 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown, repeatedly turning short throws into long gains.

Los Angeles controlled the middle of the field, converted 7 of 12 third downs, and did not commit a turnover. Buffalo got six total touchdowns from Josh Allen, but one interception and several blown coverages kept the Bills one possession short.

Core Match Statistics Overview

Puka Nacua Stats and Los Angeles Rams Passing Box Score

• Puka Nacua recorded 7 catches of 10-plus yards, including a 34-yard deep over route that set up a Kyren Williams touchdown.
• His 13.5 yards per reception forced Buffalo to shade a safety late, opening Cooper Kupp underneath for easier completions.

Third Down and Red Zone Efficiency

• Los Angeles converted 7 of 12 third downs; Matthew Stafford averaged 8.9 yards per attempt on third down.
• Buffalo went 6 of 13 on third down, but two fourth-quarter sacks stalled drives at critical moments.

Turnover Margin and Josh Allen Rushing Touchdowns

• The Rams finished with zero giveaways, while Josh Allen threw one interception that led directly to Los Angeles points.
• Allen still produced three rushing touchdowns, but the Bills could not overcome the one lost possession in a two-point game.

Period-by-Period Analysis

First Quarter: Puka Nacua Sets Early Tempo

• Rams opened with a 9-play, 75-yard drive ending in a Kyren Williams 4-yard run.
• Buffalo answered immediately with Josh Allen’s 12-yard scramble for a touchdown.
• Both teams moved the ball, but Los Angeles missed a 54-yard field goal attempt to keep the quarter level.

Second Quarter: Matthew Stafford Passing Yards Surge

• Puka Nacua caught a 22-yard touchdown on a slot fade, beating man coverage cleanly.
• Allen hit Amari Cooper for a 28-yard score, then added a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
• Rams tacked on two field goals and a late Kyren Williams score after the Allen interception.

Third Quarter: Rams Extend Lead

• Matthew Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp on a 17-yard dig route for a touchdown.
• Buffalo answered with Allen’s 4-yard rushing touchdown to keep the game within one score.
• Rams kicker Joshua Karty drilled a 41-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 34-28.

Fourth Quarter: Josh Allen Rushing Touchdowns Keep Buffalo Alive

• Josh Allen rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns from 3 and 6 yards out.
• Rams answered with a 27-yard Cooper Kupp touchdown and a late 28-yard field goal.
• Buffalo’s final drive reached midfield, but a fourth-down sack ended the rally.

Los Angeles Rams Player Statistics

Matthew Stafford Passing Stats

Stafford played a clean game, spreading the ball to five different receivers and avoiding turnover-worthy throws. His third-down passing kept drives alive and gave the Rams a clear efficiency edge.

Kyren Williams Rushing and Receiving Stats

Williams scored twice inside the five-yard line, punishing Buffalo’s light defensive boxes. His pass protection on third down also gave Stafford extra time to find Puka Nacua downfield.

Puka Nacua Game Log and Receiving Stats

Nacua was the chain mover and the deep threat, averaging 13.5 yards per catch and forcing four missed tackles. His 89 yards after catch accounted for 55 percent of his total production.

Cooper Kupp Receiving Stats

Kupp worked the middle of the field and converted a key fourth-quarter score. His presence prevented Buffalo from bracketing Nacua on every pass play.

Buffalo Bills Player Statistics

Josh Allen Passing and Rushing Stats

Allen produced six total touchdowns but was pressured on 38 percent of his dropbacks. One fourth-quarter interception became the difference in a two-point game.

Amari Cooper Receiving Stats

Cooper gave Buffalo a vertical edge and caught a 28-yard touchdown over the middle. He drew multiple pass interference calls but saw fewer targets late in the game.

Dalton Kincaid Receiving Stats

Kincaid converted two third downs and scored on a crossing route. The Rams’ zone scheme limited his yards after catch and forced Allen to hold the ball longer.

Khalil Shakir Receiving Stats

Shakir worked the slot but could not generate a deep explosive play. His longest catch went for 16 yards, and the Rams kept him out of the end zone.

Statistical Leaders Summary

Why the Los Angeles Rams Won

Clean Turnover Margin and Puka Nacua Game Log Impact

The Rams won the turnover battle and converted Buffalo’s only mistake into points. Stafford’s zero-interception game kept the offense on schedule and prevented the Bills from gaining short fields.

Third Down and Red Zone Execution

Los Angeles extended drives on third down with quick passes to Nacua and Kupp. The Rams allowed only one sack, avoiding negative plays that would have stalled scoring drives.

Puka Nacua Yards After Catch

Nacua turned short crossing routes into explosive gains all afternoon. His yards after catch forced Buffalo safeties to play deeper, which opened up the intermediate routes for Kupp and Williams.

Why the Buffalo Bills Lost

Late Defensive Breakdowns in Rams vs Bills Box Score

Buffalo failed to get off the field on third-and-medium, and missed tackles after catch gave Los Angeles extra yards. The Rams’ clean red-zone execution meant every Bills defensive stop attempt ended in seven points.

Josh Allen Turnover and Pressure Issues

Allen’s interception led directly to a Rams scoring drive, and the offensive line struggled on late downs. The Rams’ defensive front pressured Allen into two fourth-quarter sacks that ended potential game-winning drives.

Heavy Dependence on Josh Allen

The Bills needed Allen to produce every meaningful offensive play. Buffalo’s running backs combined for only 28 rushing yards outside of Allen’s scrambles, leaving the offense reliant on high-difficulty throws and Allen runs. That formula worked for 42 points but left no margin for one turnover.

Historical Context and Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

The Rams snapped a two-game losing streak in the series. This was the highest-scoring matchup between the two teams in franchise history.

Advanced Statistical Insights

The Rams won the efficiency battle despite losing the total passing yardage battle. Stafford’s completion percentage over expected was +6.1, while Allen posted a +2.3 mark. Puka Nacua’s EPA per target of 0.64 ranked as the highest among all receivers in the game, showing that his targets produced more expected points than any Buffalo pass catcher.

Game Implications and Key Lessons

What This Means for the Los Angeles Rams

• Rams improved to 7-6 and stayed alive in the NFC West race.
• Puka Nacua’s return gave Stafford a reliable chain mover and deep threat.
• Red-zone execution provides a formula for close playoff games.

What This Means for the Buffalo Bills

• Buffalo fell to 10-3 but still held the AFC East lead.
• Defense must fix third-down coverage and missed tackles.
• Josh Allen’s workload is unsustainable if the running game cannot produce.

Key Lessons

• Yards after catch can break a game: Puka Nacua turned 12 catches into 162 yards.
• Turnover margin remains decisive; Rams had zero giveaways.
• Third-down conversions create extra possessions and field position.
• Red-zone touchdowns beat field goals in high-scoring games.
• Even six-touchdown performances can lose without defensive stops.
• Clean offensive line play supports deep shots and limits negative plays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Rams vs Bills game on December 8, 2024?

The Los Angeles Rams beat the Buffalo Bills 44-42 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

What were Puka Nacua’s stats against the Bills?

Puka Nacua caught 12 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. He also added one carry for 4 yards.

How many touchdowns did Josh Allen score in Rams vs Bills?

Josh Allen accounted for six total touchdowns: three passing and three rushing.

What was Matthew Stafford’s passing line?

Stafford completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Where can I find the full Rams vs Bills box score?

The full box score includes team stats, player stats, and play-by-play data. This breakdown covers the key numbers and statistical edges.

How did Puka Nacua impact the game?

His 89 yards after catch and 12 receptions moved the chains and forced Buffalo to adjust coverages, creating openings for Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams.

Final stat check: Los Angeles turned a clean turnover game, seven third-down conversions, and five red-zone touchdowns into a 44-42 win. Puka Nacua’s 162-yard day drove the efficiency, while Josh Allen’s six touchdowns could not overcome defensive breakdowns. The Rams’ ability to stack productive possessions proved more valuable than individual brilliance.