Rams' Nacua thrown out for throwing a punch in overtime victory against Seahawks.

 SEATTLE — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua described his ejection for throwing a punch during the second quarter of Sunday's 26-20 overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks as "a learning experience," acknowledging that he let his emotions get the better of him.

The incident occurred after quarterback Matthew Stafford’s pass intended for Nacua was intercepted by cornerback Riq Woolen. Following the interception, Nacua got into a confrontation with linebacker Tyrel Dodson, where he threw a punch, resulting in his ejection from the game.

Nacua expressed the "helpless feeling" he experienced while watching from the locker room, where he could only see the game on a small TV and listened to the Seahawks broadcast. Despite being down at halftime after the Seahawks capitalized on the turnover and a 15-yard penalty against him, the Rams managed to come back and win in overtime.

"I let my emotions get the best of me and reacted instead of responding," Nacua reflected. "I knew the play was dead after the interception, and he just had some hands on me while I was trying to get blocked off. I was just trying to defend myself and prepare for the next play."

Stafford later praised Nacua as "a smart and aware kid," assuring that he isn't concerned about the young wide receiver. "He obviously doesn't want to miss playing with us. It's frustrating to start a game that way, but I have total trust in his ability to learn from this and understand that we need to keep our emotions in check."

Before his ejection, Nacua had made one catch for 11 yards and participated in 26 out of 30 offensive snaps. This was a notable comeback for him after missing five games earlier this season due to a knee injury. He had just returned from injured reserve in Week 8, where he had led the team in receiving yards.

Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed Nacua's emotional nature, saying it's part of what makes him a great player. "He’ll learn from this," McVay commented. "It’s important to manage that aggression. We all make mistakes, and I'm eager to see how he responds."

PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley showcased his versatility with a touchdown reception during the Philadelphia Eagles' fast start against the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching a 20-yard pass from Jalen Hurts with 10:22 left in the first quarter.

The score followed a crucial special teams play, where Sydney Brown forced a fumble on a punt return, allowing Kelee Ringo to recover the ball in Jacksonville territory. Just two plays later, Hurts connected with Barkley for the touchdown, marking the Eagles' first first-quarter points of the season—an achievement that was especially notable as they were the only team without any first-quarter scores prior to this game.

Barkley, who entered the game ranked second in rushing yards (766) and yards per game (109.4), notched his second receiving touchdown of the year, adding to his impressive stats after previously scoring on an 18-yard reception against the Green Bay Packers.

Early in the second quarter, Barkley thrilled the Lincoln Financial Field crowd with a spectacular backward hurdle over a Jaguars defender. After catching a pass from Hurts in the flat and evading a tackle, Barkley spun past linebacker Devin Lloyd before executing the incredible leap over cornerback Jarrian Jones, adding an extra five yards to what turned into a 14-yard gain on a crucial third down.

Fans were left in awe, witnessing a play that many considered rare in NFL history. Barkley capped off his impressive first half with another touchdown, breaking away on a 3rd-and-17 draw for a 19-yard score.

In addition to Barkley’s standout performance, DeVonta Smith made headlines with an impressive one-handed catch in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown, further solidifying the Eagles' lead late in the fourth quarter.