They were two moments seemingly frozen in time, ballistic catches by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp that not only suggested the Rams offense could finally perform consistently, but could do so with panache.

In Sunday’s win over the Buffalo Bills, Nacua made a full-extension toe-tap catch on the sideline that should be framed as a work of art. Kupp’s leaping, acrobatic touchdown catch was a reminder of the veteran’s historic 2021 season.

It wasn’t the first time the two receivers showed they were coming off injuries that sidelined them earlier this season. Both had over 100 yards receiving in a win over the New England Patriots in mid-November.

But this was different.

Nacua and Kupp both showed the flair of champions delivering excellence in their games, and it couldn’t come at a better time for coach Sean McVay and the Rams.

The Rams play the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday night, the first of three games against NFC West opponents remaining on the Rams’ schedule.

The Seattle Seahawks (8-5) lead the division. The Rams (7-6) are in second place, with the Arizona Cardinals (6-7) and 49ers (6-7) close behind.

The Rams play the 49ers, at the New York Jets, and then finish the season at home against the Cardinals and Seahawks. If the Rams defeat their division opponents, they will be assured of a playoff spot for the sixth time in McVay’s eight seasons.

The Rams are just four days removed from their 44-42 victory over the Bills. The 49ers, coached by McVay’s mentor and nemesis Kyle Shanahan, cruise to a 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears.

“It’s a big challenge,” McVay said. “You know us. We know them.”

On September 22nd, the Rams defeated the 49ers 27-24 at SoFi Stadium without Nacua or Kupp.

Nacua was on injured reserve after suffering a serious right knee injury in a season-opening loss at Detroit. He had to sit out five games.

In a Week 2 loss at Arizona, Kupp suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss four games.

After the duo returned, the Rams offense showed signs of life.

The win at New England evened the Rams’ record to 5-5. After a loss to the strong Philadelphia Eagles, victories over the New Orleans Saints and Bills pushed the Rams over .500 for the first time and primed them for a playoff push.

Nacua, who set NFL rookie rushing records in 2023, has 54 catches for 708 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Bills, he caught 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Kupp, an eighth-year pro who was the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, has 63 catches for 657 yards and six for touchdowns. Against the Bills, he caught five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

“Kupp has been one of the best here, no matter how long he plays,” Shanahan told Bay Area reporters this week. “And Puka showed last year that he is one of the best and he has proven that again this year.”

Nacua made his sideline catch against the Bills in the second quarter, snagging a perfectly placed pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“The first thing I said to Coop was, ‘I was like, man, I was a little horny on my way,'” Nacua said. “I cut a little earlier. I was like, ‘Man, I felt like I was ready to go.'”

Cool?

“Just super excited,” Nacua said with a laugh. “Man, I was ready to get the ball.”

Rams receivers coach Eric Yarber instructs players not to look at their feet as they approach the sideline, Nacua said.

“I just felt like doing the marble run, and as soon as I raised my hand, it was almost stuck to my hand,” Nacua said. “I thought, ‘Oh, the first job is done and now it’s time to focus on the second job.’ Everything worked out.”

Midway through the third quarter, Kupp set up a touchdown with a 37-yard reception. On the next possession, he lunged to snag a pass and used his thigh to secure his touchdown catch.

“I would certainly like to put every single one of them right on the chin and let them do it,” Stafford said of placing passes. “No matter how great the hook may be in a particular case, sometimes it is exactly where I want it to be. When I gave Cooper a touchdown, I wanted to throw the ball up, let him use his body and do all those things.”

In the 2023 regular season finale at Levi’s Stadium, McVay gave most of the starters a rest. But Nacua played and set NFL rookie records for catches and yards in a season.

“I think about the special moments I was able to share with my mother out there on the football field and what that meant to me in my football journey,” he said, adding: “I’m really looking forward to everything is coming.” on Thursday.”

Due to injuries in recent seasons and McVay’s decision to rest most of the starters in last season’s finale, Kupp has not played against the 49ers since October 20, 2022.

That’s why he’s looking forward to Thursday evening.

“You love competing against this team,” Kupp said. “There are a lot of players up there that I’ve been competing against for a long time. … It seems like they’ve always been physical games, and they get you excited when you play against these teams that are going to give it their all.”