Sep 21, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

As we enter the fifth week of the NFL season, two 3-1 divisional rivals going in opposite directions are set to clash on Thursday Night Football.The Los Angeles Rams enter Thursday night's game with some momentum following a last-minute victory over the then-undefeated Indianapolis Colts. The San Francisco 49ers are just trying to survive and advance, as a slew of stars, including starting quarterback Brock Purdy, are officially out for tonight's game. Here are the three main storylines to keep an eye on during this divisional fight at SoFi Stadium.

1. Can Puka Nacua continue his historic season?

Can anyone stop Puka Nacua is the biggest storyline heading into the game tonight. Through his first four games, Nacua has put up 503 yards on 42 receptions. Whenever Matthew Stafford has been on his back foot this season, it has been Nacua who has come through each and every time to make the big catch, block, or run to keep the Rams afloat. After failing to win Offensive Rookie of the Year two years ago behind C. J. Stroud of the Houston Texans, Nacua seems to be on the warpath to add some hardware to his collection this season. If he somehow keeps up his blistering pace, Nacua will pass Calvin Johnson's 1,964-yard single-season record for receiving yards. His quarterback? Some young gunslinger named Matthew Stafford.

2. Is Matthew Stafford the best quarterback in the league today?

Before the season began, people were theorizing whether Stafford would even play another snap in the NFL. Following a topsy-turvy offseason that almost saw him traded before sitting out a majority of training camp with a back injury, no one knew what to expect from Stafford entering his 17th season. Alas, as he's done many times before, Stafford has turned back the clock and has put up some of the best numbers in the league thus far, currently ranked the No. 3 starting quarterback in the league by PFF (90.7 grade) and only trailing Dak Prescott by five yards for the passing title.

3. Will the injured Niners pull off the upset at SoFi?

It's unfair to call this an even fight heading into Thursday. The Niners, who were plagued with injuries last season, are trying to scratch and crawl to their bye week to see if they can stabilize for a playoff push. Brock Purdy is back on the sideline bench with a quick turnaround from Sunday, and two of the team's top receivers, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, will also be out. If they could win tonight, it would be a statement to the rest of the league that the Niners are a team far greater than the sum of its parts.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Three Storylines for Thursday Night Football: Can Puka Nacua Continue Historic Season?

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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