Watch: Stafford, Nacua burn Lions for 50-yard TD

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) scores a touchdown against Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) during the first half of a NFC wild-card game at Ford Field. Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua burn Lions for 50-yard TD

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/14/24

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is no stranger to throwing touchdown passes at Ford Field.

After all, he threw 282 of them as a member of the Lions from 2009-20, but his latest was certainly the most painful for Detroit fans to watch as Stafford connected with rookie sensation Puka Nacua for a 50-yard touchdown to pull the Rams to within 14-10 in the second quarter of their Super Wild Card Weekend matchup with the Lions.

PUKA UP TOP FOR SIX!

: #LARvsDET on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ZuVyAKLYeH
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

Puka hit him with the hesi

: #LARvsDET on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FQxg8TIX83
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

It was Stafford’s first touchdown pass in Detroit since January 3, 2021 — his final season with the Lions — and the 14th of his career.

It was also the first playoff touchdown for Nacua, who had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, setting new rookie records for single-season receptions and yards.

Stafford was traded to the Rams during the 2021 offseason for Jared Goff and two first-round picks. The 35-year-old QB led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship in his first season with the team, and he’s brought the Rams to the playoffs in two of his three years in L.A. (he had just three playoff appearances in 12 years with the Lions).

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