Macaulay Culkin has left NFL fans stunned over his deep football knowledge after identifying an unlikely ‘MVP’ for the Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 season.
The ‘Home Alone’ star, 45, is a well-documented diehard fan of the franchise and during a recent podcast, proved his fandom goes far beyond just wearing the jersey.
During an appearance on the Mythical Kitchen, Culkin heaped praise on defensive tackle Poona Ford, calling him the ‘quiet MVP’ of the Rams’ campaign.
The conversation began when host Josh Scherer noted that the Rams’ defense is ‘giving up 30 fewer rushing yards per game this year’ compared to last season.
The host asked if there was a case to be made that Ford was a ‘more important acquisition’ than the team’s blockbuster trade for wide receiver Davante Adams.
‘You said the keyword: Poona Ford!’ Culkin exclaimed, pointing at the host.
Macaulay Culkin left NFL fans stunned by his deep football knowledge during a YouTube show
Culkin heaped praise on defensive tackle Poona Ford, calling him the ‘quiet MVP’ of the Rams
‘I swear, if he was one inch taller, if he was six feet tall, he’d be making bigger bank. He’s got this stigma, but man, we haven’t had a guy plug up the hole like that since [Ndamukong] Suh was on the team, really.
‘That’s what it’s all about: Poona Ford,’ Culkin continued. ‘He’s the quiet MVP of this season because that was what a big hole in our defense was – the run. And Poona, man, he just… he does it. Unsung hero.’
When the host asked him, ‘What’s your biggest fear?’, Culkin replied: ‘Not having Poona Ford on the Rams.’
Standing at just 5ft 11in, Ford went undrafted out of the University of Texas in 2018 despite being the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
However, the Rams saw past the height when they signed him to a three-year deal in March 2025 and Culkin believes that decision has saved their season.
The comparison to Ndamukong Suh is high praise for any defensive tackle after Suh famously spent the 2018 season with the Rams, serving as a dominant interior presence that helped propel the team to Super Bowl LIII.
Since Suh’s departure, the Rams have often struggled to find a consistent partner for their defensive line rotation who can eat up space and blockers effectively.
While the arrival of Davante Adams grabbed all the back-page headlines earlier this year, the reduction of 30 rushing yards per game back up Culkin’s assertion.
Culkin, seen with wife Brenda Song and former Rams star Aaron Donald, is a known Rams fan
Fans rushed to social media to heap praise on the ‘Home Alone’ actor for his ball knowledge
Fans on social media were quick to applaud the actor’s knowledge, with many impressed that he singled out a nose tackle rather than a quarterback or receiver.
One fan wrote: ‘spend enough time home alone, you begin to know ball’.Â
‘Kevin McAllister knows ball,’ another said.Â
The Rams will hope Culkin’s ‘quiet MVP’ continues his loud play on the field as they look to cement their playoff positioning in the final weeks of the season.
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Macaulay Culkin wows NFL fans with his football knowledge as he names ‘the quiet MVP’ of 2025 season