Andrew Whitworth said it best on Amazon’s postgame show after the Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Minnesota Vikings: They might go from trading players to trading for players now that Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are healthy.
In one night, the entire outlook of the Rams’ 2024 season changed. It’s not just that they won, but rather the way they won and the quality of the team they beat. Very simply, the Rams don’t beat the 5-1 Vikings without Kupp and Nacua on the field.
Despite Demarcus Robinson scoring two touchdowns, and Kyren Williams putting up another 100-plus yards from scrimmage, the Rams probably lose to the Vikings if not for the returns of Kupp and Nacua.
Those two star receivers completely change Los Angeles’ offense with the things they can do. Nacua, in particular, was a game-changer for the Rams with his receiving skills, as well as his blocking ability. Despite only getting in one practice all week – and as a limited participant, no less – Nacua looked like the player we saw dominate week in and week out as a rookie last season.
He was targeted nine times in the win, catching seven of those passes for 106 yards. He didn’t score, but he was the primary source of offense and helped the Rams get to the red zone three times, scoring touchdowns on all three trips.
Whether it was turning short screen passes into big gains, hauling in a high throw with a leaping grab along the sideline or making defenders miss on dig routes, Nacua made play after play to move the chains. Of the seven passes he caught, six of them picked up a first down.
Here’s how long each of his catches were:
- 13 yards
- 21 yards
- 16 yards
- 14 yards
- 4 yards
- 19 yards
- 19 yards
According to Pro Football Focus, he was targeted on 40.9% of his routes in the game, which is a career-high for the stud receiver. That means when he was one of the five eligibles on a play, Stafford looked his way almost half the time.
Puka Nacua
– Was on a snap count, played 56% of snaps, 67% of pass plays
– Targeted on 40.9% of his routes, a career high for a game
– 4.82 yards per route run, 3rd best of his career
– Tied a career high with two runs— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) October 25, 2024
If not for his 19-yard catch on second-and-15 with 4:04 left in the third quarter, the Rams may not win this game because two plays later, Demarcus Robinson was in the end zone with a 25-yard score to put the Rams up 21-17.
He completely opens up the playbook for Sean McVay, making all the difference in the world on offense.
Kupp’s impact may not have been as large, but the Rams might not win this game without him, either. He caught five of his eight targets for 51 yards and a touchdown. The play he made when he scored was one that perfectly demonstrates his value.
Stafford was forced to leave the pocket when two defenders were bearing down on him, escaping to his left where Kupp was running his route. Kupp recognized his quarterback was in trouble, lost his defender in coverage and came wide open for a touchdown.
That chemistry isn’t something Stafford has with any other receiver, not even Nacua.
Matthew Stafford, my goodness 😳#MINvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cnwM1ftWiw— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024
Later on in the game, Kupp came up with his second big play of the night. On third-and-9 with the Rams facing the possibility of giving the Vikings the ball back with more than 3 minutes to play, Kupp broke free down the left sideline and caught a 27-yard bomb from Stafford for a first down. That kept the drive alive and forced the Vikings to burn their last timeout. It didn’t translate to points, but it drew another minute-plus off the clock.
Move the chains ⛓️ Kupp with a big first down late in the 4th! #MINvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/jRvi6PZUMX— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024
Could another receiver have made that play? Maybe. But the trust Stafford has in Kupp and the attention Nacua drew on the fake screen is what made that happen. No disrespect to Tutu Atwell, Robinson or Tyler Johnson, but Kupp and Nacua are just different.
Looking ahead, the outlook of the Rams’ season is entirely different with a healthy Nacua and Kupp. And based on Sean McVay’s comments after the game, it sure doesn’t sound like Kupp will be traded in the next week and a half.
There’s a chance the Rams can grab a piece of first place in the NFC West next weekend if they can beat the Seahawks on the road in Week 9. If they can get to 4-4, anything is possible in a division that’s completely up for grabs at this point in the season.
