Cooper Kupp Disappoints Fantasy Football Managers with 0 Catches for Rams vs. 49ers
Dec 13, 2024
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Cooper Kupp had an extremely quiet night on Thursday.
Kupp was targeted three times, but failed to record a catch during the Los Angeles Rams' 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
While rainy conditions caused Los Angeles' passing attack to struggle, six other Rams players still finished the game with at least one grab.
Kupp's team was able to secure a victory, but fantasy football managers were surprised by his disappointing performance.
Cooper Kupp ending with 0.0 points on the first week of fantasy playoffs is INSANE 😭
Actually, no. It really couldn’t. That one is going to hurt for a long, long time. But through years of therapy and self reflection, you might be able to get back to around 80-90% of the person you were before tonight.
It's worth noting that no other player on the Rams surpassed 25 receiving yards in the contest.
Still, it was unexpected to see Kupp's minimal impact. The Super Bowl 56 MVP is in the midst of another impressive season, catching 63 passes for 657 yards and six touchdowns in nine appearances prior to Thursday's defeat.
Kupp missed four games earlier in the year due to an ankle injury, but he's remained a key piece of Los Angeles' offense after coming back in Week 8. In fact, the Rams own a 6-2 record since he returned to the field.
Despite winning just one of the team's first five games to open the year, Los Angeles has continued to boost its postseason chances with its recent play. The Rams now sit at 8-6 on the season as a whole and have a 50 percent playoff probability, via Next Gen Stats.
For fantasy managers, Kupp could struggle to get going once again in Week 16. While the Rams will travel to face a New York Jets team that has lost four straight games, the Jets still own the league's fourth-best pass defense.
It shouldn't be too difficult for Kupp to top Thursday's performance, though.
Despite their 1-4 start to the campaign, the Rams' playoff odds climbed to 49 percent following Thursday night's win, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The 49ers could meanwhile officially be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend.
The postseason implications of Thursday night's result go further than the NFC West. The Green Bay Packers no longer have a chance of clinching a playoff berth this weekend.
Here's a look at the NFL standings and current playoff scenarios heading into the rest of Week 15.
AFC Standings
1. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-1
2. Buffalo Bills: 10-3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-3
4. Houston Texans: 8-5
5. Baltimore Ravens: 8-5
6. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-5
7. Denver Broncos: 8-5
—————PLAYOFF LINE—————
8. Indianapolis Colts: 6-7
9. Miami Dolphins: 6-7
10. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-8
11. Cleveland Browns: 3-10
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-10
13. New York Jets: 3-10
14. Tennessee Titans: 3-10
15. New England Patriots: 3-10
16. Las Vegas Raiders: 2-11
The Chiefs and Bills have clinched a playoff spot. The Browns, Jaguars, Jets, Titans, Patriots and Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention.
NFC Standings
1. Detroit Lions: 12-1
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-2
3. Seattle Seahawks: 8-5
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-6
5. Minnesota Vikings: 11-2
6. Green Bay Packers: 9-4
7. Washington Commanders: 8-5
—————PLAYOFF LINE—————
8. Los Angeles Rams: 8-6
9. Atlanta Falcons: 6-7
10. Arizona Cardinals: 6-7
11. San Francisco 49ers: 6-8
12. New Orleans Saints: 5-8
13. Dallas Cowboys: 5-8
14. Chicago Bears: 4-9
15. Carolina Panthers: 3-10
16. New York Giants: 2-11
The Lions and Eagles have clinched a playoff spot. The Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Packers will now need to wait until at least Week 16 to clinch a playoff spot. The only shot Green Bay had at securing a postseason berth this weekend hinged on the Rams and 49ers tying on Thursday night.
The 49ers are meanwhile in danger of being officially eliminated from playoff contention if the Seattle Seahawks defeat the Packers on Sunday.
The Steelers, Texans, Vikings and Eagles still have paths open to securing their spots in the postseason, as noted by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Steelers could clinch a playoff spot with a victory on Sunday against the Eagles.
A loss would leave the Steelers much less certain of their hold on the AFC North. Pittsburgh's next two matchups take place in a five-day span against the Ravens and the Chiefs. Baltimore could gain some ground in the division standings with a win over the 2-11 Giants this weekend.
The Eagles meanwhile could lock in a postseason spot of their own with a win over the Steelers, but only if the Commanders also lose to the Saints on Sunday.
The Texans are in for a brutal stretch of the schedule as the team prepares for games against the Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens in a span of 10 days starting on Sunday.
Houston could start out that run by securing a playoff spot with a win in Miami on Sunday, as long as the Colts lose to the Broncos the same day.
The Vikings could secure a playoff spot on Monday with a win over the Bears, although a Seahawks loss could also get Minnesota into the postseason.
On the other side of the playoff picture, the Panthers, Cowboys, Bears and Bengals are at risk of official elimination from playoff contention this weekend, per NFL Playoff Scenarios.
A Bengals loss to the Tennessee Titans will knock Cincinnati officially out of the running if the defeat coincides with a Broncos win or tie.
The Panthers could defeat the Cowboys but be eliminated regardless by a Buccaneers or Falcons win. The Cowboys meanwhile need the victory, alongside a Commanders loss or tie, to retain any hope of sneaking into the playoffs.
The Commanders have the ability to officially eliminate multiple teams from contention with a win over the Saints on Sunday. The Bears also need a Washington loss, alongside a win over the Vikings on Monday, in order to remain in the picture.
Tom Brady Praised by NFL Fans While Calling Josh Allen, Bills vs. Stafford, Rams
Dec 9, 2024
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: Tom Brady looks on prior to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Fans reacted to Tom Brady on Sunday as he covered Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams' stunning 44-42 victory over Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills for Fox.
Kevin Burkhardt joined Brady at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where their Week 14 commentary flowed smoothly, a result of having plenty of practice working together.
The battle between the 7-6 Rams and the 10-3 Bills came down to the wire as Buffalo scored a touchdown with under a minute left in the fourth, pulling within two points.
Despite holding the Rams to a three-and-out after the score, the clock was not on their side as the Rams punted the ball away to end the game.
Fans reacted on social media to Brady's commentary on Sunday:
People hating on Tom Brady’s commentary… Well, they’re haters. That level of insight into the QB position and clock management is unmatched against anything we’ve had before.
After a slow start to his broadcasting career, which included some criticism from viewers, Brady has gradually gained a growing and dedicated audience each week. Brady even received praise from fellow sportscaster Rich Eisen a couple of weeks ago who said he is doing a "really good job" as a game analyst, calling him "one-of-one."
"I'm really enjoying it actually," Eisen told TMZ Sports. "The one in particular I really enjoyed was when he was calling the Chiefs game and he was basically giving you a moment-by-moment description of what's going on in Mahomes' head and I thought it was great."
Despite the ongoing debate among fans of "is Tom Brady good or not," viewers were delighted by some special guest appearances.
A highlight of the day for fans was Brady being joined by former teammates Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman in the studio just before the game. The trio played a game of "most likely," performed a Bill Belichick impression and shared plenty of nostalgia as the former New England Patriots took the stage.
As the highest-paid broadcaster in history with a 10-year, $375 million contract, Brady has faced plenty of criticism this season. But there's no denying that, at the very least, the seven-time Super Bowl champion has made significant improvements since Week 1.
Fox has not yet released its broadcast schedule for Week 15.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills before a game at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Two of the NFL's top quarterbacks went back and forth on Sunday afternoon.
At the end of a hard-fought battle, Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious over Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills by the final score of 44-42.
Stafford was able to thrive in a relatively clean pocket during the game, finishing 23-of-30 for 320 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off.
His screen pass to Puka Nacua late in the fourth quarter gave the Rams a two-score lead that they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game.
Buffalo trailed 31-14 in the third quarter, but the Bills was able to cut into the lead due to the heroics of Allen.
Allen finished 22-of-37 for 342 yards and three touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He also picked up a team-high 82 rush yards and three more scores on the ground.
Josh Allen is the first player in NFL history with 3 pass TD & 3 rush TD in a single game @BuffaloBills
The loss dropped the Bills to 10-3 on the season as a whole, although they still hold a comfortable lead atop the AFC East standings.
As for the Rams, they improved to 7-6 and are now one game behind the Washington Commanders for the final playoff spot in the NFC.
Rams Claim Emmanuel Forbes Jr. on Waivers; 2023 1st Round Pick Was Cut by Commanders
Dec 2, 2024
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Emmanuel Forbes Jr. #13 of the Washington Commanders returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are taking a chance on a high-upside player who didn't live up to early expectations in his first stop with the Washington Commanders.
Los Angeles announced Monday it claimed defensive back Emmanuel Forbes Jr. off waivers.
Washington selected Forbes with the No. 16 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, but ESPN's Sarah Barshop noted the NFC East team cut him Saturday. Barshop also pointed out this may not be just a short-term pickup for the Rams, as the Mississippi State product is under contract through 2026 with a fifth-year option for 2027.
"He was a guy that we liked and had a familiarity with just based on the evaluation coming out of Mississippi State," Rams head coach Sean McVay said. "And then I thought there was some good tape that he's put out there when we've gone against them, particularly later in the year last year."
Forbes was a consensus All-American in 2022 during his final collegiate season with the Bulldogs. He showed a knack for the ball with 10 passes defended and six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns in that 2022 campaign.
In all, he had six interception returns for touchdowns during his three years in college.
Forbes didn't have that immediate impact for the Commanders, although he showed flashes of his potential while appearing in 14 games with six starts as a rookie. He tallied 11 passes defended and an interception in that first NFL season.
Yet Forbes has started just one game this season and was trending in the wrong direction prior to Saturday's release.
Bryan Manning of USA Today's Commanders Wire noted Forbes was a healthy scratch in three of the last five games and played just eight total defensive snaps during that span. It seemed like his time in Washington was limited at best, and the impending return of Marshon Lattimore gave the team even more reason to move on.
Perhaps a change of scenery will help the 23-year-old tap into his potential as the Rams chase an NFC West crown.
Los Angeles also waived defensive back Charles Woods with no recall in a corresponding roster move Monday.
Police: Rams' Demarcus Robinson Arrested on Suspicion of DUI, Driving 100+ MPH
Nov 26, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 24: Demarcus Robinson #15 of the Los Angeles Rams runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence soon after the team's 37-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Per a news release from the California Highway Patrol (h/t ESPN's Sarah Barshop), Robinson was arrested at approximately 5:13 a.m. local time on Monday morning after he was observed driving more than 100 miles per hour on a highway.
Officers "observed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment" from Robinson, leading to his arrest. He was released to "a responsible party" after receiving a citation.
Per TMZ Sports, Robinson refused to perform an on-site field sobriety test prior to being taken into custody.
Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed reporters Tuesday, saying the team is still gathering information.
"I do believe that Demarcus [Robinson] has a good heart and never would have any ill intentions and clearly there was a decision that's not in alignment with the things we want to be about," McVay said. "I know he was remorseful about that."
Robinson caught two passes for 15 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football. He has started all 11 games for the Rams this season.
The 30-year-old is in his ninth NFL season. He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 and spent six years with the team. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent in March 2022, but they released him during the preseason.
Robinson joined the Baltimore Ravens before the start of the 2022 regular season. He appeared in all 17 games for the club.
The Rams signed Robinson in June 2023. He has already set a career high and leads the team with six touchdown catches this season.
Puka Nacua Says He Found out Rams Are in NFC West, Sean McVay Says WR Was Joking
Nov 24, 2024
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 17: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after beating the New England Patriots 28-22 at Gillette Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are fighting for an NFC West title even though one of their star players may have just found out about the whole division thing.
"No, if I'm being honest with you guys, somebody told me we're in the NFC West, so that's good to know, I guess," Puka Nacua told reporters Thursday. "Yeah, one day at a time is my mentality. I feel like I say that to you guys a lot, but then it's whatever game we have coming up on Sunday or whatever the day that week it falls on."
There is something to be said about the wide receiver being so locked in he isn't even aware of his own team's division, but head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Nacua was joking.
"No, he didn't. He was messing with you," McVay said. "You'd have to give me the context, I think so. Isn't that beautiful? See, that's why… be like Puka. Just focus on what you can control and… hey, if that's the case, I love him unconditionally. You know what though? There is a beauty in that in all seriousness.
"Let's just say that's the case. I know this, that guy is going to show up when we play the [San Francisco 49ers] 'Niners', the [Arizona] Cardinals, and the [Seattle] Seahawks, and shoot, if he thinks that we're in the same division as the Eagles, then let's show up against them too."
Whether Nacua is joking or not, it is an amusing back-and-forth involving the star receiver and coach.
To be fair, there are some confusing geography situations in sports, including the NFL. For instance, the Dallas Cowboys being in the NFC East doesn't exactly line up with the United States' geography, especially when they are playing teams from Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York City.
And then there is college football, where California and Stanford are in the, wait for it, Atlantic Coast Conference following the latest round of conference realignment.
But the Rams being in the NFC West isn't geographically confusing or new.
They were in the NFL Coastal Division in 1969 and then the NFC West starting in 1970. Sure, there was the whole move to St. Louis thing, but there was no doubt which division the Rams would be in again when they returned to Los Angeles starting with the 2016 season.
Alas, the real focus for Nacua and the Rams is the fight for that division crown in 2024.
They are just one game behind the Arizona Cardinals following a 4-1 stretch in the last five games and still face the division leaders at home in Week 17. The Nacua and Cooper Kupp combination is nearly impossible to stop, and Matthew Stafford has found plenty of success throwing them the ball now that they are both healthy and back on the field.
As long as Nacua is making plays on the field, Rams fans surely won't care what division he thinks he is playing in down the stretch run.
Sunday Night Football features a high-stakes Week 12 showdown as the Philadelphia Eagles fly west to battle the Los Angeles Rams on NBC. The Eagles enter the…
Video: Rams' Puka Nacua Fined for Punch That Led to Ejection vs. Seahawks
Nov 9, 2024
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 03, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been fined $5,424 for throwing a punch during Sunday's win over the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Nacua was ejected from the 26-20 win in the second quarter after throwing a punch at Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson.
Nacua left the game having made one catch for 11 yards on four targets. He told reporters after Friday's practice he didn't think the incident would make him play less aggressively going forward.
The wide receiver named edge rushers Byron Young and Jared Verse along with linebacker Omar Speights as inspirations to play aggressively.
"I think being able to be, especially around guys on our team... everybody's always ready to pack a punch," Nacua told reporters after Friday's practice (h/t NBC Sports' Mike Florio.) "It's nice to get back in there and be like everybody's willing to hit. Just being a little bit extra aware of some of the thoughts after the play where people are like, 'I'm going to take my opportunity.'"
According to Nacua, the incident marked the first time he had been ejected from a game at any level.
"It was just a natural reaction," Nacua said, per Florio. "I think that the phrase that kind of sticks out to me is reacting over responding. That was one thing that coach McVay always talks about is there are going to be ups and downs, but it's how you respond to those moments that makes it and it will define you.
"Being able to learn from something like that, but then also being like I come from a tough background and I'm never going to feel like somebody's trying to enforce their will. Outside the whistle, I'm going to make sure I stand on my ground."
A fine as the punishment rather than a suspension for Nacua will come as a relief to Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The second-year wideout, who missed five games earlier this season with a knee injury, led the Rams with 106 receiving yards in his return from injury in a Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Nacua will now rejoin the Rams as the team wraps up Week 10 with a Monday night home game against the Miami Dolphins, during which Los Angeles will look to challenge the Arizona Cardinals for the top of the NFC West by improving to 5-4.
Rams' Matthew Stafford, Demarcus Robinson Wow NFL Fans with GW TD in OT vs. Seahawks
Nov 4, 2024
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams leaves the field after beating the Seattle Seahawks 26-20 at Lumen Field on November 03, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
In an incredible 26-20 overtime win, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks on the road, thanks to a game-winning touchdown from Matthew Stafford.
On the other end of the throw was wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who caught Stafford's impressive launch to complete the 83-yard play and seal the game.
Stafford finished the game completing 25-of-44 passes for 298 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and one fumble. Robinson added six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns to the victory.
Robinson's standout night on Sunday added to the 30-year-old's 233 total yards this season with three touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball was Seattle quarterback Geno Smith who completed 21-of-34 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
NFL fans flooded social media after the game-winning completion to praise the 4-4 Los Angeles team.
