Kupps' return to form helps Rams beat Arizona

 

October 19, 2023

George Laase

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp gets ready to make a catch against Arizona last Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The Rams battle the Steelers on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

It's been two games since the return of former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp and he has made an instant impact. Kupp played a huge part in the Rams' latest 26-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

A week after scorching the Philadelphia Eagles for eight catches for 118 yards in his first game of the year Kupp finished Sunday's game with seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown as the Rams were able to pick up their third victory of the season. They are now 3-3, third p[lace in the NFC West.

The star Rams receiver dominated the Cardinals defense on every level: short, in the intermediate and down the field. Many football experts thought that Kupp would never look like the receiver he was a couple years ago after dealing with injuries. He has quieted all of those naysayers and looks like himself again.

"He looked like the Cooper Kupp we're accustomed to seeing," said coach Sean McVay. "I thought he made some big time plays. You look at it, at the end of the first half, that long connection that he and Matthew (Stafford) had. Cooper was outstanding today."

The Rams have eased Kupp back into the lineup and it has payed off for the offense. The connection between Kupp and quarterback Matthew Stafford has looked very similar to the one that helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl in 2022.

"I thought we obviously connected for some good ones," said Stafford. "We're going to try to continue to do that and spread the ball around as much as I can and get everybody involved. But I thought Coop did a really nice job."

Kupp's return gives the offense its main piece that fits perfectly with the emergence of rookie receiver Puka Nacua, third year receiver Tutu Atwell and running back Ken Williams. An offense that was weak last season to the new look 2023 team it appears that they can achieve great success this year because of a healthy Kupp and the other talented young pieces.

The second half offensive outburst against Arizona is what quarterback Stafford is hopeful to see going forward especially with Kupp playing so well. "I thought we did a great job at halftime of making the adjustments to go out there and play the second half the way we wanted to play it," said Stafford. "It's definitely something to build on, but you have to go out there and prove it every single week as we know."

With a healthy Kupp the skies the limit for this offense. He knows it but still sees some growth with himself going forward. "It's getting there. It felt good this week," said Kupp. "Just getting more reps, more time we'll just continue to keep getting better."

Up next, the Rams are facing off against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense this Sunday at Sofi Stadium. The Steelers are 3-2.

 

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