Overview
- Late in the third quarter, after a 20-yard catch to the Eagles’ 40, Nacua spun the ball, flexed and pointed, and an official ruled the gesture was directed at linebacker Jihaad Campbell, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.
- The flag erased most of the gain, the Rams failed to get back into field goal range and turned the ball over on downs four plays later in an eventual 33-26 defeat.
- Fox analyst Greg Olsen argued on the broadcast that the celebration was not directed at a defender, with play-by-play announcer Joe Davis echoing concerns about how direction is interpreted.
- The league’s preannounced emphasis on taunting this season framed the call, highlighting ongoing confusion over what constitutes a gesture aimed at an opponent.
- Nacua, who finished with 11 catches for 112 yards, said the move was his typical first-down celebration and that he will discuss it pregame with officials rather than change it.