Can Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp outdo their 2021 debut?

One for the record books

There is no denying that the combination of Stafford and Kupp is something that the NFL seldom sees. For Stafford? He has set the Rams’ Franchise All-Time Single Season passing record for passing yards, and completions, tied for passing touchdowns, came in second place for passing attempts with 601 passes, and came in second for QBR.

Cooper Kupp was equally proficient, setting the Rams’ Franchise All-Time Single Season receiving record for receptions, receiving yards, coming in second place for receiving touchdowns, and setting the top mark for catch percentage at a phenomenal 75.9 percent rate.

That was the first season that Stafford and Kupp played in the same offense.

When the LA Rams competed in the NFL Playoffs, you may have guessed that the elevated competition and speed of the game would dilute their effectiveness, wouldn’t you? After all, opposing defenses, the best in the NFL, knew what was coming. There was no surprise that Matthew Stafford would be throwing to Cooper Kupp.

Pass. Caught!  Got it, Touchdown!

Of 140 passes thrown by postseason Stafford, 42, or 30 percent, targeted Kupp. Of 98 completions, 33 were caught by Kupp or nearly 34 percent. As the competition improved, so did both Stafford and Kupp.

In Super Bowl LVI, with the NFL Championship on the line, Stafford to Kupp was virtually unstoppable. Staffords completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. While that may not appear to be anything special, it was all done without the benefit of anything close to a competent rushing attack.

Kupp was responsible for eight of ten catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including that sensational game-winner with less than two minutes to go in the game. The game-winner, in sensational Stafford form, in a fourth-quarter comeback that defined the LA Rams’ run to victory.