One of the most puzzling parts of the Los Angeles Rams’ recent 4-1 stretch is the disappearance of Cooper Kupp. He’s caught just five passes for 82 yards in the last four games he’s played, putting up numbers that no one is used to seeing from the Super Bowl MVP.
Kupp opened up about his reduced role and the missed opportunities that have cost him some production, and Sean McVay discussed his receiver’s recent slump, as well. McVay said the Rams have continued to try getting him the ball and “he’s always a focal point,” but he simply hasn’t gotten many targets for one reason or another – whether it’s the coverage or the game script.
“We really try to get him involved. He’s always a focal point,” McVay said Thursday. “Sometimes the coverages don’t end up allowing that to occur. I thought the play that he made down the right sideline was a tremendous play for us. There were some other opportunities, but then really once we kicked the field goal and it got to 27-3 the other night, there was a very different approach that we took. Like any great leader, I think he was just glad to be a part of winning for our team, but he’ll always be a guy that we want to try to be able to get involved. The amount of passes that we threw just in general, and the types of passes and then we were in some different personnel groupings that limited the total snap count for our receivers in general, that did limit some of the opportunities as it relates to the Vikings game.”
The Rams could have to throw the ball more often on Sunday against the Eagles after Matthew Stafford attempted just 27 passes in the win over the Vikings, so that may theoretically give Kupp increased opportunities.
It’s hard to conclude exactly what the reasoning is for Kupp’s sudden drop-off, but those in the Rams’ building seem to think it’s a matter of plays breaking down when he’s open and coverages dictating that the ball go somewhere else.
If the Rams are going to keep this playoff run going, they’ll need Kupp to step up alongside Puka Nacua as he has so many times before.
