Things are getting even better for Rams WR Cooper Kupp
A couple days ago, The Athletic's Diana Russini reported Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp will play on Sunday, barring any setbacks. It was a huge update that obviously bodes well for the Rams offense. But things got even better on Sunday morning when ESPN's Adam Schefter said there will be no limitations on the All-Pro […]
A couple days ago, The Athletic's Diana Russini reported Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp will play on Sunday, barring any setbacks. It was a huge update that obviously bodes well for the Rams offense.
But things got even better on Sunday morning when ESPN's Adam Schefter said there will be no limitations on the All-Pro wideout. Meaning, Kupp is a full-go for a big matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookie wideout Puka Nacua has stolen the show during Kupp's absence, recording 39 receptions for 501-yards and a touchdown over the course of the first four games of the season. The 39 receptions and 501-yards are the most during that span in NFL history. Former Arizona Cardinals/Baltimore Ravens/San Francisco 49ers/Detroit Lions wideout, Anquan Boldin, previously held the record with 30 receptions for 464-yards during the first four games of a career.
The Eagles' pass defense hasn't been stellar this year, either. The team has allowed the sixth-most yards through the air (260.8 per game), the fourth-most passing touchdowns (9), and quarterbacks average the 11th-best ANY/A when throwing against the Eagles secondary.
A lot of that is due to the Eagles' stellar run defense, which has allowed the second-fewest yards per game and fifth-lowest yards per attempt at 63.0 and 3.3, respectively. Opposing offenses throw the ball, on average, 41.0 times against the Eagles, which is the fourth-highest rate this year. Therefore, there are plenty of chances to rack up numbers through the air.
But even then, a good unit should be able to hold its own, to an extent. And, it's clear the defense struggles when it's in the red zone. The Eagles defense has allowed opponents to score touchdowns at a 73.3% clip once they get inside the 20 and as we all know, Kupp is a monster in the red zone. All one has to do is go back to his last fully healthy season in 2021 when he led the NFL with 18 receiving touchdowns inside the 20 – 11 of those came inside the 10-yard line. He still managed to nab four red zone tuddies last year in 11 games, as well.
It's clear Kupp's return gives the Rams a huge boost and who knows – it may help them pull off the upset.
