Puka Nacua sarcastically thanks referees on social media after loss in Seattle

SEATTLE -- On Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua posted a sarcastic message to the officials. The Rams had blown a 16-point lead to lose in overtime, but the organization was concerned that the team needed to handle frustration “with class.”

Days later, head coach Sean McVay can only dream of such a contained incident.

Since the defeat, the Rams are on their second major controversy. They have had to ban streamers from their facilities and manage apologies for comments deemed “antisemitic in nature.” The game where Nacua recorded 225 yards and two touchdowns, he overshadowed the effort with social media noise.

“Can you say I was wrong,” Nacua wrote on X. “Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol.”

In the fourth quarter, the Seattle Seahawks faced a deficit so large that history gave them a 0-150 chance of survival.

Within minutes, however, the Seahawks were playing before an incredibly electric atmosphere. They managed to turn the tide by taking it “one play at a time,” trusting a lateral on a two-point conversion and, after a short week, clinching a playoff spot. The Seahawks took a 38-37 win at Lumen Field.

The reasons for these sorry distractions are many:

Coach McVay and his staff run the Rams. Nacua, whose week includes sarcastic tweets and livestream apologies, runs the distractions.

"I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people," Nacua wrote on Instagram.

In the post-game interview, Nacua said:

“I don't want to be a distraction in any in any week, and especially in a short week, so we had talked about that, and he's (McVay) right there behind me.”

The loss ended a two-game winning streak for Los Angeles. The Rams now sit at 11 wins and four losses following the defeat. The Rams travel to play the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 29. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PST.