Bump: What Seahawks can do differently vs Rams WR Puka Nacua

Puka Nacua lit up the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary in a way it hasn’t been by any one else all season during their Week 16 matchup.

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The Los Angeles Rams’ star wide receiver hauled in 12 receptions for a career-high 225 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams piled up 581 total yards of offense, the most allowed by the Seahawks in franchise history.

Nacua’s gaudy performance included a trio of explosive receptions that accounted for 153 yards of his day. The BYU product and former UW Husky had a 54-yard catch in the first quarter that helped lead to a Rams field goal, a 58-yard grab late in the third quarter set up a touchdown and a 41-yard TD catch in overtime that put Seattle’s back against the wall down to its final possession.

The Seahawks pulled out a wild overtime win despite the wide receiver’s massive game, but it’s hard to imagine they would be able to withstand another day like that from Nacua.

What went wrong for Seattle against Nacua in Week 16? And how can Seattle try to limit the All-Pro receiver in Sunday’s NFC title tilt? Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wideout Michael Bumpus broke it down during Four Down Territory on Wednesday’s edition of Bump and Stacy.

Two common themes Bumpus pointed out about Nacua’s big plays were they all were out of multiple tight end personnel and came on passes deep down the middle of the field where Rams head coach Sean McVay was able to get Nacua in matchups with Seattle’s safeties.

On Nacua’s 54-yard grab, Coby Bryant came down to cover the middle of the field and Nacua was able to get behind him to get open for quarterback Matthew Stafford. His 58-yard catch was made in front of Bryant. And his 41-yard TD catch in overtime came after Ty Okada followed tight end Colby Parkinson on a post route and left the middle of the field open for Nacua.

Matthew with a STRIKE to Puka for big gain!

📺 @NFLonPrime | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/MJQfbLBlT6

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 19, 2025

“McVay found ways to get Puka in the slot and get these matchups. He was working those safeties,” Bumpus said. “Safeties are going to have to have a big day this week against Puka Nacua because Sean McVay found the matchup against the safeties and exploited them.”

The way McVay uses his multiple tight end formations creates a unique problem, Bumpus said.

“He splits them out,” he said. “So when you see that personnel run out on to the football field, your mind as a defensive coordinator is going to a different place. He splits them out and messes up your calls.”

Who else but Puka Nacua! 😤 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/BylWPrnhBu

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 19, 2025

What Bumpus would most like to see the Seahawks do to combat Nacua is have him be followed by All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

“We need Spoon to follow No. 12 (Nacua). When Puka’s in the slot, Spoon needs to be there,” Bumpus said. “If we’re not gonna put Spoon on him, you have to re-route Puka Nacua. There were times there was no re-route. He’s just running free and getting on our safeties right now. How are you going to switch that? I say 21 (Witherspoon) follows him all game.”

If Witherspoon isn’t following Nacua, Bumpus says the responsibility then falls on the defenders at the second level to impact Nacua’s ability to get open down the field.

“That guy on the second level – it could be a nickel or safety or a (linebacker) – all they have to do to make me work harder is just get your hands on me,” Bumpus said while speaking from a receiver’s perspective. “Make me have to adjust my route a little bit. There were times where Puka was just flying right up the field (with) no re-route (in Week 16).”

Hear former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus’ full Four Down Territory segment here. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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