Rams insist receiver Cooper Kupp can still be a force despite declining numbers

LOS ANGELES — Cooper Kupp was a driving force as the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl to close out the 2021 season, culminating with his winning touchdown.

Kupp’s statistical production during this season’s push to the playoffs is nowhere near his Triple Crown campaign when he led the league in receptions, receiving yards and TD catches, or brilliant playoff series that followed.

The downturn continued with just one catch in the win over Minnesota last Monday night, but the Rams are confident their star receiver can deliver when needed, including in the divisional round at Philadelphia on Sunday.

“He’s very involved in this offense, even though the stat sheet doesn’t show it right now,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “But at any given time, Cooper is always Cooper, and he plays a major role in what we’re trying to do.”

Kupp caught his only target against Minnesota, a 29-yard grab down the right sideline out of a trip formation on the first drive of the third quarter. The third-down conversion contributed to a field goal that put the Rams (11-7) up 27-3.

Head coach Sean McVay called five more passes the rest of the game.

The lack of opportunities for Kupp has been one of the obvious explanations for his minimal production recently, as the Rams relied on running back Kyren Williams and a surging defense during the final month of the regular season. Matthew Stafford hasn’t thrown for more than 189 yards in the last three wins to win the NFC West, with Kupp totaling four receptions for 53 yards on nine targets in those games.

“I think we’re doing whatever it takes to win right now,” receiver Demarcus Robinson said. “I’m sure we could probably give him the ball more or something. … Like, I would want the ball more, but that’s not something to discuss. We always win.

LaFleur said there were also instances where circumstances — whether it was a certain defensive look or pressure up front — meant plays intended for Kupp couldn’t be executed.

“I think it’s more of an anomaly right now,” LaFleur said. “I mean, honestly, there were occasions where we tried to give him the ball, and for one thing or another, without going into too much detail, it just didn’t work. And then there was has other times where media coverage just hasn’t dictated it.

Kupp tries to take it all calmly.

“That’s what football is, and I’m on a very long streak of bad things happening,” Kupp said. “That’s how it goes sometimes.”

This entire season, Kupp’s eighth with the Rams, has been out of this world. He opened with a breakout performance in the season opener, catching 14 balls for 110 yards and a touchdown, before missing four games in September and October with an ankle injury.

There were also trade rumors involving Kupp before the November 5 deadline, although he responded with some of his most productive performances. That included 100-yard games against Seattle and New England, as well as five receptions for 92 yards and a score in a wild shootout against Buffalo.

Since there will always be circumstances beyond his control, Kupp is focused on making sure he does everything he can to be able to play.

“In the same way, I just want to play good football,” Kupp said. “I want to go watch the tape and see that I’m doing things the right way, separating, competing for my teammates, blocking and completing my tasks. I am, and that’s all I can do.

This approach from Kupp resonates with the younger members of the Rams receiving corps.

“He’s just very intentional,” rookie Jordan Whittington said. “You can just see with every step, every step means something.”

If everything falls into place, the Eagles (15-3) could find that Kupp can still make a difference.

Stafford was rewatching the 37-20 loss to Philadelphia in Week 12 this week when he came across a play where he was hit while trying to throw the ball to a wide-open Kupp, who ended up with eight catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.

“He says, ‘That’s kind of how it happened,’” Stafford said. “Sometimes these things happen, and he’s an incredible teammate, a guy who sacrifices for our team in so many different ways.”

“Anything we can do to get him the ball, it’s great.” If you talk to him, he’s a really good team guy. He wants us to win and does everything he can to help us win.