Cooper Kupp apparently saw the ridiculous toe-tapping catch Puka Nacua made earlier in the game and wanted to one-up him. It’s hard to say Kupp’s third-quarter touchdown catch was better than Nacua’s, but Kupp’s did go for a touchdown.
With the Rams already leading 31-21, Kupp made a fantastic catch in the end zone to pad Los Angeles’ lead. It may not have seemed like a highlight-reel grab on first look, but he used his knee to bring the ball in to his body – because who needs two hands when you have one knee?
Even though the Bills are favored, the Rams are one of the hotter teams in the NFL and are in a competitive race for the NFC West crown.
Buffalo will need to execute their game plan to pick up their eleventh win of the year.
With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 14:
Make them stop the run
Getty Images
Last week, the Bills spammed the running game against the 49ers and it resulted in 220 rushing yards and 35 points on the board. It will be difficult to repeat that success again this week, but the Rams have shown they can be hurt on the ground.
Two weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley did whatever he pleased against them. He ran for 255 yards and two scores on 26 carries. And last week, the Saints’ Alvin Kamara put up 112 rushing yards on 23 carries.
The Bills are at their best when they are a threat both on the ground and through the air. With this game being played in a dome (SoFi Stadium), many will be looking for Josh Allen to put up numbers in the passing game after only 148 pass yards in last week’s snow game. But if the Bills are wise, they won’t abandon the run and they’ll make the Rams have to defend in the trenches on defense.
Contain Rams pass rush
Imagn Images
Despite the loss of Aaron Donald, the young defenders on the defensive line for the Rams have done a solid job in keeping their pass rush competitive. They have four d-linemen with at least 4.5 sacks: Jared Verse (4.5), Kobie Turner (5), Byron Young (6), Braden Fiske (6).
More specifically, Verse has shown improvement this year. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the 12th-most productive pass-rushing edge defender with a pass-rush grade of 82.4.
The Bills haven’t allowed a sack in either of their last two games against the Chiefs and 49ers. That was a big reason they were able to put up 30+ points against both Super Bowl representatives from last year. If the Bills offensive line continues its high level of play, Allen could be in for a big day.
Limit explosives from McVay’s offense
Imagn Images
It’s no secret that the Rams offense has the potential to go toe-to-toe with anyone on any given Sunday. Led by offensive-minded head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matt Stafford has a few premiere weapons to spread the ball around to.
Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are one of the league’s best wide receiver duos, so the Bills’ secondary will have their hands full. The duo both found the field healthy together for the first time in Week 8 after missing much of the season.
Stafford has thrown for eight touchdowns on downfield passes (10+ yards) since Week 8, which is the third-most in the NFL in the span, and he has averaged 11.3 yards per attempt on those throws. The entire team has been lifted since Kupp and Nacua became healthy.
The running game was also effective for them last week as Kyren Williams ran for 104 yards and a touchdown on 6.9 yards per carry. The offense can beat you in many ways much like the Bills’ offense. It will be another test for Sean McDermott, Bobby Babich, and the Bills defense to limit their explosive plays and keep them in check.
The Buffalo Bills will travel across the country to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Week 14.
For this cross-conference battle between Sean McDermott’s Bills (10-2) and Sean McVay’s Rams (6-6), it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Rams contest:
CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Cooper Kupp
USA TODAY Sports
The battle in the slot will feature All-Pro caliber players who have been around the NFL for a while. Taron Johnson is in his eighth year and is coming off of his first-career All-Pro selection last year (second-team). Cooper Kupp is in his ninth year and has an All-Pro selection under his belt as well (first-team in 2021).
Kupp continues to see the majority of his snaps in the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Kupp has seen 278 slot snaps and 151 wide snaps this year.
Johnson will have his hands full. Not only is Kupp still a reliable route runner and pass catcher, but he has the ultimate trust and chemistry with quarterback Matt Stafford. The two won a Super Bowl together in 2022 and connected for the go-ahead touchdown in that game. A few wins from either side of this matchup could make a big difference.
Bills offensive line vs. Rams defensive line
USA TODAY Sports
Both the Bills offensive line and the Rams defensive line have had outstanding seasons to this point. Both have outperformed their expectations this year.
Heading into Week 14, both the Bills O-line and Rams D-line rank as the sixth-best unit on their respective side of the ball according to PFF.
Los Angeles has posted the league’s best quarterback pressure rate (39.8%) according to Next Gen Stats. Buffalo, on the other hand, has allowed the league’s fewest sacks this year (13), including zero over their last two games.
Something has to give. The battle in the trenches when the Bills have the ball will be one of the better matchups around the NFL and will play a big role in the outcome of the game.
RB James Cook vs. Rams front-seven
USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
If the Bills can get running back James Cook rolling on the ground like they did last week (107 yards on 7.6 yards per carry), then it will keep the Rams’ impressive pass rush honest. And, although the Rams can get after the quarterback, they have their holes in the run game.
They rank 21st in the NFL in defense rushing DVOA, while ranking 22nd in EPA/rush. On top of that, they allow the fifth-most yards after contact per rush (3.25), according to Next Gen Stats.
Buffalo and offensive coordinator Joe Brady have found a lot of success on the ground this year (4th in rush DVOA). If they can get going once again, it will be worrisome for Los Angeles.
No player in the NFL has more catches in his first 100 games than Cooper Kupp – a record Sean McVay didn’t even know his receiver broke Sunday
Cooper Kupp is as modest as they come at wide receiver. He doesn’t do flashy touchdown celebrations or talk trash on the field, and he sure doesn’t make a big deal about his own personal accomplishments.
In Sunday’s win against the Saints, he quietly broke a pretty impressive NFL record, even in a game where he had just three catches for 17 yards.
With those three receptions, Kupp now has 625 in his career. That’s the most by any player in his first 100 games in league history. Kupp now stands above everyone else, edging out Keenan Allen by one reception for the top spot. Antonio Brown (622) and Julio Jones (619) sit in third and fourth place.
With 3 receptions in New Orleans, Cooper Kupp (625) passes Keenan Allen (624) for the most receptions in NFL history in a player’s first 100 games.
The record flew so far under the radar that not even Sean McVay knew Kupp took the top spot. During his postgame press conference, McVay was made aware of Kupp etching his name in the record books (again) and he jokingly called out Rams VP of communications Artis Twyman for not telling him about that feat.
“What the hell, Artis? Why wouldn’t you tell me that? Another time that I ended up not recognizing Cooper Kupp,” McVay joked.
He then looked into the camera at his press conference and congratulated Kupp on his accomplishment. McVay mistakenly didn’t give Kupp a game ball in the locker room because he didn’t know about his accomplishment, but he’ll be sure to give him one on Monday.
“Congratulations, Cooper. You’ll get a game ball tomorrow, buddy,” he said.
McVay then got serious about the impact Kupp has had on the team as a player and leader over his first 100 games.
“That’s cool. … He’s a special player, he’s a more special person. His work ethic, everything he’s about, is the right kind of stuff and really happy for him,” McVay said.
Cooper Kupp has been nominated for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award for the 2nd time in 3 years
Each year, every team in the NFL nominates one player for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the person who “exemplify outstanding sportsmanship.”
Just as they did in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams have nominated Cooper Kupp for the award, the second time in three years that he’s been selected by the team. Kupp, the ultimate teammate and competitor, is the perfect example of sportsmanship on the field, which is why the Rams have nominated him twice already.
Former Rams punter Johnny Hekker and safety Rodney McLeod were also nominated by their respective teams, so they’re among the 31 other nominees alongside Kupp.
Last year, the Rams nominated Jordan Fuller, who was also their nominee in 2021. Todd Gurley and Eric Weddle are also former nominees for the Rams, though none of them have won it.
A sea of Eagles fans took over SoFi Stadium, carrying Philadelphia to its 7th straight win on Sunday night as Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night
The Eagles are 9-2 and have won seven straight games after Saquon Barkley exploded in the running game, and A.J. Brown was dominant in the passing game. Philadelphia put the league on notice with a 37-20 win at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
If not for a late Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, Philadelphia would have exited Los Angeles with a 37-14 road win just seven days before a monster matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.
Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night and had 302 total yards of offense in a game that saw A.J. Brown log 109 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven targets.
Darius Slay walks Quinyon Mitchell through Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacau’s route tree ahead of Eagles vs. Rams
Darius Slay is the gift that keeps on giving.
As the All-Pro veteran enters what could be his final stretch of games in Philadelphia, the cornerback has poured all his knowledge and skills into Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.
As he did ahead of the Thursday night matchup against Washington, Slay walked Mitchell through some of the routes he’ll see on Sunday night against the Rams star duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Darius Slay is going through a whole pregame routine once again showing Quinyon Mitchell all of the moves that Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and the Rams receivers have. pic.twitter.com/54m5U2xdJ9
The Eagles started the season out 2-2. Still, the lights went on defensively when Cooper DeJean entered the starting lineup following a training camp and preseason that saw the rookie out of Iowa miss time with a soft tissue injury.
Mitchell has been lights out from Day 1, and both players have made Philadelphia’s veteran and captain, Darius Slay, very happy. Talking to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia after practice on Friday, Slay jokingly referred to the young duo as “his children,” praising both players.
Mitchell is the only NFL cornerback with 375+ coverage snaps and 0 passing touchdowns allowed this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Mitchell, who has limited opponents to a 51.1% completion percentage and 71.4 passer rating, also ranks 2nd among NFL CBs with a 23.4% forced incompletion percentage, behind Denzel Ward (31.3%) (min. 30 targets). Overall, the rookie ranks 3rd among NFL CBs with 11 forced incompletions, trailing only Ward (15) and Paulson Adebo (12).
A.J. Brown explains why he’ll be watching Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua when Eagles are on defense
A.J. Brown is one of the top five wide receivers in the NFL, but he’s always working to improve, and he’s not afraid to borrow a specific release or adjust his routes based on what he sees from his peers at the position. Philadelphia will face an explosive Rams offense featuring their star wide receiver duo Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Last week, Kupp and Nacua combined for 229 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots, a reminder of their dominance when healthy. Injuries have limited Kupp and Nacua this season, but since each of their returns in Week 8, they’re on par as one of the most potent one-two punches in the game.
Since returning from injury, Kupp has 29 catches for 341 yards and three scores, going over 100 yards in two of the four games. Nacua has been even better, catching 24 passes for 338 yards and a touchdown.
Like the Bengals game with Ja’Marr Chase, Brown said he’ll be standing on the sideline to watch Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua when the Eagles are on defense.
“There’s something I can learn. If I see something I like, I may do it in the game.”
Similar to the Bengals game, A.J. Brown said he’ll be standing on the sideline to watch Kupp/Nacua when Eagles are on defense: “There’s something I can learn. If I see something I like, I may do it in the game.” https://t.co/7BZSm0G9uk
Brown ranks 1st in the NFL among players with 30+ receptions and an 18.7 receiving average. Brown (team-leading 618 receiving yards) also ranks 4th overall in receiving yards per game (88.3) behind Nico Collins (103.5), Ja’Marr Chase (96.0), and Justin Jefferson (91.2).
Brown and DeVonta Smith are one of two NFL WR duos with multiple 40+ yard touchdowns, joining New Orleans (Shaheed and Valdes-Scantling).
Cooper Kupp adjusted his route mid-play on his 69-yard touchdown and as usual, he and Matthew Stafford were on the same page
There’s a reason Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems in the NFL and their 69-yard touchdown on Sunday was yet another example to support that claim.
It’s not that Kupp is the fastest receiver in the NFL or that Stafford is the most accurate. They’ve had so much success in the last three-plus years because they’re always on the same page – whether it’s pre-snap or mid-play.
That was the case on their long touchdown against the Patriots. When Kupp saw that the Patriots were running Cover 0, he adjusted his seam route to break inside more, giving his quarterback a clearer throwing lane knowing the ball had to come out quickly.
Kupp explained what happened on the play, telling reporters how important it is to be on the same page as his quarterback.
“They had Jones off and outside about 8 yards and Dugger inside and I thought they were going to get some kind of 220 Tampa safety look and be able to drop out of there with how far off he was,” Kupp explained postgame. “And on the snap, Dugger just disappeared and what I thought was going to be a Tampa 2 ended up being a soft zero and it just goes back to a really old rules we used to have about running seam routes against zero and speeding that thing up and ripping in there and Matthew was just ready to go. It’s not something we’ve talked about in a while but being on the same page with him, it’s huge when you can do those and you can make those plays where you have small margins. Matthew’s getting hit and letting that ball go, trusting I’m going to be where I’m supposed to be, so glad we were able to make that one come alive.”
Stafford echoed Kupp’s thoughts after the game, as well, saying he saw exactly what his receiver did post-snap, which worked to perfection.
“I just hadn’t had a lot of opportunities to run that kind of a play against a zero pressure,” he said. “I’m just glad he was on the same page I was on and did a nice job at the top.”
Sean McVay has watched Stafford and Kupp work together for years and he probably never gets tired of seeing them make plays like the 69-yarder on Sunday. He confirmed Kupp made the right play to shallow off his route a little bit at the top and Stafford hit him in stride for an easy touchdown.
“He read it right,” McVay said. “That was the adjustment you want with that specific route and that coverage contour. He and Matthew were on the same page. It was a 69-yard touchdown. We like those plays.”
Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp beat the Patriots’ cover 0 for an easy walk-in touchdown
If you try Matthew Stafford with a cover 0 blitz, you better get to him because he’ll make you pay.
The New England Patriots learned that the hard way on Sunday when they tried it in the third quarter. The result? A 69-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Cooper Kupp, who could’ve crawled into the end zone. That’s how far away the nearest defender was.
Kupp beat his man and after making the catch, there was no one back there to wrap him up. It wasn’t the easiest touchdown Kupp has ever scored, but with it being pure one-on-one coverage, it wasn’t a huge challenge, either.
