Puka Nacua Calls Out Jaguars as NFL’s Most Overrated Team-But the Numbers Tell a More Complicated Story
Puka Nacua isn’t just torching defenses this season-he’s not holding back off the field, either. The Rams' breakout wide receiver made waves this week when he named the Jacksonville Jaguars as the most overrated team in the NFL during a live stream appearance. The comment came during a casual chat, but the sentiment was clear: Nacua isn’t buying the Jaguars' 2025 resurgence.
“The AFC isn’t even that great,” Nacua said, before landing on Jacksonville as his pick for the league’s most overhyped squad. That’s a bold call, especially considering the Jags currently sit atop the AFC South at 10-4 with three games left to play.
Let’s unpack this a bit.
The Jaguars: Overrated or Underrated?
It’s easy to see where Nacua might be coming from. Jacksonville’s recent history hasn’t exactly inspired confidence.
After a thrilling playoff run in 2022 that included a wild 27-point comeback against the Chargers, the Jaguars stumbled in 2023 with a 9-8 finish. Things got worse in 2024, when they collapsed to a 4-13 record, prompting a coaching change and plenty of questions about the team’s direction.
Enter Liam Coen, brought over from Tampa Bay to stabilize the offense and spark a turnaround. So far, it’s working.
The Jaguars have not only reclaimed the top spot in the AFC South, they’ve done it by beating some of the league’s best. Wins over the Texans (17-10 in Week 3), 49ers (26-21 in Week 4), Chiefs (31-28 in Week 5), Chargers (35-6 in Week 11), and Colts (36-19 in Week 14) suggest this team is more than just smoke and mirrors.
Still, Nacua’s skepticism might not be entirely unfounded. While the Jags have pulled off some impressive victories, consistency has been a question mark throughout the season.
They’ve had stretches where the offense sputtered and the defense bent a little too much. And with a massive Week 17 showdown looming against the 12-2 Denver Broncos, we’re about to find out just how real this Jacksonville team is.
Nacua and the Rams: NFC West Title Within Reach
Of course, Nacua’s comments come at a time when his own team is surging. The Rams are 11-3 and could lock up the NFC West title as soon as Thursday night, when they face the Seahawks in a high-stakes divisional clash. Both teams share the same record, and the Rams already hold the edge after a narrow 21-19 win in Week 11.
Nacua has been a huge part of that success. In just his third season, he’s become Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy, hauling in 102 catches for 1,367 yards and six touchdowns through 13 games. His combination of precise route running, physicality after the catch, and chemistry with Stafford has turned the Rams’ passing attack into one of the most efficient in the league.
And while Stafford is making a legitimate MVP push, it’s Nacua who’s become the emotional spark. He plays with the kind of edge that can galvanize a locker room-and, apparently, stir up a little controversy in the process.
The Bigger Picture
Whether or not you agree with Nacua’s take on the Jaguars, it adds fuel to an already electric December. Jacksonville has a chance to prove him wrong in a big way when they face the Broncos. If they can knock off one of the AFC’s top contenders, it’ll be tough to keep calling them overrated.
Meanwhile, the Rams are barreling toward the postseason with one of the league’s most balanced rosters. If Nacua keeps producing at this level and Stafford stays hot, LA could be the team nobody wants to face in January.
One thing’s for sure: Puka Nacua isn’t afraid to speak his mind-and he’s backing it up with his play.