Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Puka Nacua had the most inexplicable drop on potential TD

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 6:39 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams are making a bunch of little mistakes to keep the Carolina Panthers in the game during Saturday’s NFC Wild Card contest.

The Rams held a 17-14 lead at halftime of Saturday’s game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, but could have easily been up by more than that. On 3rd and 10 with 19 seconds left in the half, Matthew Stafford launched a perfect throw to Puka Nacua, one of his most sure-handed receivers who was already having an explosive day.

Nacua simply failed to make the catch on a ball that almost certainly would have ended in a touchdown.

PUKA NACUA… WHAT THE HELL? pic.twitter.com/YSvagsV14O
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 10, 2026

The drop made no sense from any angle.

How did Puka nacua just drop this .. pic.twitter.com/co7M4xRBpe
— John (@iam_johnw) January 10, 2026

Nacua’s drop was even more confusing in the context of the rest of his first half. He caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, and also picked up a second score on a 5-yard rush. He might get hung up on not getting that third score, though.

Nacua has become known for his circus catches and his ability to reel in just about anything, even if it does not necessarily count. That just makes it more bizarre that he would drop such an easy one.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: