Puka Nacua and 7 other Rams to face the 49ers for 1st time in 2024 on TNF

(2) - WR Cooper Kupp

When the LA Rams offense has RB Kyren Williams, QB Matthew Stafford, and WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp suited up and on the football field at the same time, great things seem to happen for the Rams. Unfortunately, Cooper Kupp has not faced the 49ers since 2022 for a variety of reasons.

But if you revisit his 2022 performance against the Rams NFC West Division rivals, you will discover that Kupp caught 22 of 31 passes against the 49ers in two games for 201 yards and a touchdown. So if I sound a bit optimistic that Kupp can make a huge difference in this Week 15 game, I consider that enough evidence to buoy optimism.

Kupp is precise in his route-running, as perfectly timed in showing up where he needs to be when Stafford throws the football as a swiss watch, and as tough to bring down as a rhinoceros once he catches the ball. And that all adds up to huge headaches for a 49ers secondary that loves to bully and play physical football to intimidate and derail the timing of opposing receivers. The thing is, those tactics simply have no impact on Kupp.

No, Cooper Kupp has not appeared in the last two games against the 49ers, both of which the Rams have won. But his play has not been the cause of previous losses. Kupp shines against the 49ers.

Scouting report: The Rams love to leverage every advantage afforded them, and that likely means the 49ers' defensive focus will remain on stopping RB Kyren Williams and WR Puka Nacua. So look for Kupp to be very active. I predict that he will haul in 11 of 15 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in this one.