Does OPOY honor put target on LA Rams Cooper Kupp in SB LVI?

LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp was not just good in 2021. In fact, he was not even just great. By all rights, Cooper Kupp’s performance in 2021 could hold its own against the single-season performance of any NFL wide receiver in the history of the NFL. He was epically great. While he didn’t win the NFL’s MVP award (an award they should just designate as the Aaron-Rodger-gets-it-again-award), he did land the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year honor.

And that distinction was most certainly well-deserved.

So now the question is, was the timing of that award such that the Rams’ top receiver will get more than his fair share of the Bengals’ secondary’s focus? Will that be a positive or negative development for the LA Rams?

Cincy’s secondary seems suspect

Where to start? Well, the likely draw for Cooper Kupp in Super Bowl is the Bengals defensive back Chidobe Awuzie. While he had a stellar regular season (Pro Football Focus grade of 83.4), he has been getting torched so far in the playoffs (PFF grade of 45.7). That will likely mean that one of the Bengals’ safeties will need to help out over the top. So far, the Bengals have been getting excellent post-season play out of both safeties, Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell.  Both have hauled in an interception so far.

The Bengals will likely pair up Eli Apple (PFF grade 58.9) to defend WR Odell Beckham Jr. and will commit Tre Flowers (PFF grade of 58.9 as well) to cover WR Van Jefferson. While the Bengals have been solid at safety, their cornerbacks have struggled mightily in coverage so far in the post-season.

So far, the Bengals have been able to mask their secondary weakness by disguising coverages, jumping routes, and coming up with huge turnovers. But how often can any NFL team rely upon that strategy?

Kupp can deliver the death blow late

To tell the truth, it’s that vulnerability that has pushed their three previous opponents to abandon their incredibly effective rushing attacks in an attempt to exploit the Bengals mismatches.  Hopefully, the Rams will not take that bait, will bully the Bengals at the line of scrimmage, and bulldoze ahead on the ground.

If the Rams run the ball, the Bengals will be forced to commit one of their safeties to the box to defend the run. Then, the Rams passing attack can rev up and go full throttle. Thanks to the experience with DC Brandon Staley and DC Raheem Morris, head coach Sean McVay has more insight than ever into how defensive game plans will try to halt the Rams offense.

With a quarterback like veteran Matthew Stafford, the Rams offense can count on a strong fourth quarter. Even if the Bengals commit to stopping WR Cooper Kupp in this one, the Rams have plenty of other options to make their offense gel. Eventually, the Bengals will need to rescheme their defense, and the Rams can strike.

Does the Offensive Player of the Year honor put a target on LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp in  Super Bowl LVI? Will the Bengals overcommit to stopping Kupp in this game? Even if it does, the Rams will be able to move the ball.