The Rams Passing Game Ran Through Puka Nacua. Now I Am Benching Matthew Stafford.

Folks, on Oct. 25 I held a custody hearing over Puka Nacua and argued that with Davante Adams out, "this passing game runs through Nacua." I am reopening the case. The evidence held up. Now the man it ran through is likely headed to injured reserve, and the other engine is still in the shop.

I started Nacua against my own Raiders in October, and I wish him a full and patient recovery.

What McVay Said Monday

Per Rams.com, McVay said Nacua suffered an MCL and PCL sprain and turf toe and will likely go on IR: "So we're thinking it's going to be at least a month." Nacua appeared to hurt his knee carrying a jet sweep, the Rams' final offensive play of a 20-13 win at Washington.

He had a season-high 150 receiving yards and a touchdown on 14 catches that day and has 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. Per the Los Angeles Times, the Rams were chasing a first down to run out the clock. McVay has no timeline for Adams, out since a Week 6 hamstring injury against Arizona.

On Rams.com, McVay said he has "questioned the decision making on that last play over and over" in his head and called it "stuff that I feel tremendous responsibility for". The Los Angeles Times reported he was "kicking myself" about calling on Nacua there.

Selling used trucks teaches a man to respect anybody who says that one is on me. McVay said it in public the day after a win.

Forty-One Targets Need A New Address

Exhibit A is the target sheet. By my count from ESPN's box scores for Week 7, Week 8 and Week 9, the three games Adams has missed, Nacua drew 41 of the Rams' 95 targets.

Exhibit B is who is left. Mike Clay listed the receivers on the 53-man roster: Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and CJ Daniels. In those games, Mumpfield caught three of six targets for 35 yards, and Atwell caught four of nine for 68. Those are short résumés, and I wish both men a fast promotion.

Jake Ellenbogen wrote that McVay "really didn’t seem confident" the Rams will have Whittington (back injury) this week. Per Stu Jackson of Rams.com, McVay said "No doubt about it" that rookie CJ Daniels will get chances to see more snaps.

Exhibit C is the end zone. Kyle Soppe of PFN noted, "Including the playoffs, Matthew Stafford has thrown a league-high 38 TD passes to WRs." Adams caught 19 and Nacua 16, with two for Mumpfield and one for Atwell. With Nacua healthy, Stafford threw for 195, 157 and 228 yards in those three games.

Higbee, Parkinson, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum were already in the building, and their work is in those same box scores.

When an offense loses both of its engines, an honest dealer lowers the sticker. Only the waiver wire raises it.

The Evidence Against My Own Case

Stu Jackson wrote that "last year injuries to Puka and Davante naturally forced the offense to evolve." Jackson added, "Going to have to get more creative than last year, but I think they can do it again." That is a fair point, and I concede it. My call covers one Sunday.

Fantasy timelines filled Monday with near-identical lists of the four healthy Rams receivers, and one Rams fan guessed Sunday's game might not see 100 combined passing yards. I am the optimist here, so my call is more generous. The next-man-up frenzy after every big injury is a sales pitch, and I gave those for a living.

Gordy, I read the Arizona reports too. Garafolo said the Cardinals lost receiver Michael Wilson for the season, Schefter reported Gardner Minshew "likely will need season-ending surgery on a torn UCL", and Rapoport said "Carson Beck would be up." Two short-handed passing games make a fine afternoon for running backs.

Here is my call, Your Honor. Matthew Stafford will throw for fewer than 200 yards against the Cardinals on Sunday. The Rams could still trade for a receiver before today's 3 p.m. CT deadline, and per the Los Angeles Times, McVay said, "I would never rule it out." I am making the call anyway. It goes on the tracker at Our Calls and gets graded after Sunday's game.

What I Am Doing About It

1. I am holding Puka Nacua in season-long and dynasty. Per the Times, IR means missing Arizona, Green Bay, Kansas City and San Francisco before he would be eligible to return against Dallas on Dec. 20.
2. I am not bidding big on Mumpfield or Atwell off one injury report. Short résumés make any add a deep-league dart.
3. I am benching Stafford in 1QB leagues this week. I play my own calls.
4. I am holding and starting Kyren Williams and Blake Corum where I already did. The run game is what the Rams have left.
5. I am checking the 3 p.m. CT deadline and Whittington's back before I set a Rams lineup. Both can change this list.
6. I am revisiting Sunday night. That is when the call gets graded.