There is no denying the on-field chemistry that quickly formed between Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp upon the former’s arrival to the Los Angeles Rams. Each and every week, Kupp produces at an elite level, providing Stafford with an always reliable option when a play breaks down.
Kupp showed this yet again in the team’s 37-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kupp was targeted 10 times, making eight catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Kupp has been absolutely dominant with 100 catches, 1,366 yards and 11 touchdown catches, all of which lead the NFL.
But one of Kupp’s best attributes has always been his humility, and he displayed that yet again after Sunday’s win, according to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“Glad we got a W, that’s the goal at the end of the day,” Kupp said. “If it means 10 catches a game, two catches a game, it doesn’t really matter – I just want to be a part of producing, be a part of moving our team forward, being a positive for us.”
Stafford, meanwhile, was less understated when discussing Kupp’s impact on the Rams:
“I mean, he does everything right, you know?” Stafford said postgame. “I don’t know, people probably watch him on TV and think he’s 5’10 and runs 4.6 and all that kind of stuff. He’s 6’2, 210, and runs great. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s a great competitor. He understands the game. He does everything right. He leads that receiver group in the right way, so I pinch myself every day. Just happy I get a chance to play with a guy like that. I have a lot of respect for how he goes about his business and how he goes about attacking each opportunity, whether it be practice or games. And then he’s great on game day. Run after the catch, getting open versus man, feeling voids versus zone. He’s got a great feel for the game of football.”
The mutual respect between Stafford and Kupp is part of what’s allowed the receiver to have a career year and one that borders on historic. Although the added 17th game puts an asterisk on it, Kupp is on pace to finish third all-time in single-season receptions and second all-time in single-season receiving yards.
Now, the Stafford-Kupp connection needs to help translate to some big wins, as the Rams still face games against the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers before the end of the season.
The Rams still have a chance — albeit a slim one — to win the division. But, offensively, it starts with Stafford and Kupp continuing to do what they do on a bigger stage.
Stafford not using injuries as an excuse
In the middle of their three-game losing streak, it was revealed that Stafford is dealing with a number of injuries. However, he did not want that to be used as an excuse, saying that no one is playing at 100% at this point in the season.
