Thursday’s Los Angeles Rams game was a big deal for Cooper Kupp’s Seattle Seahawks. After months of grinding, many viewed the Week 16 Rams-Seahawks showdown as the de facto battle for the NFC West. A big game by the receiver would be rewarded with a multiplier for better results. However, a bad game by the receiver would be hit by a multiplier for the worse. Kupp got the second scenario in the first half.
Down 13-7 and in desperate need of a lead-changing score, the former Los Angeles Rams star caught a pass in a two-minute drill before halftime. The catch and run looked like it could have ended in the end zone. However, Kupp was hit in the side and dropped the tucked-away ball.
His former team recovered the fumble, and his former head coach had a clear visceral reaction. After watching his former receiver stumble and cost his team the half, Sean McVay was seen letting out a full-volume scream. Cameras caught the moment in slow-motion, making it clear that McVay loved what he saw out of his defense.
The Rams went into the halftime break up 13-7 instead of potentially trailing 14-13, all thanks to Kupp’s fumble.
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Cooper Kupp’s Fumble Puts Period on Rams Star’s Exit
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Heading into the biggest moment of the season, Cooper Kupp had a chance to make Los Angeles regret moving on from him after the 2024 season, after failing to trade him (per a Mar. 12 ESPN report). Davante Adams was set to miss the contest while Kupp was active. Now, after the fumble, it is clear that the key Kupp talking point heading into Week 17 is likely to be negative.
While Adams’ absence from the contest didn’t do the veteran any favors, Adams didn’t cost his team a turnover in a situation when the unit needed to avoid it most.
It is also worth noting that Kupp had just two touchdowns going into Thursday’s contest compared to Adams’ league-leading 14 touchdowns. Kupp also trailed Adams in total yards heading into Week 16.
Will Kupp face Adams in the playoffs and receive another chance to make another big contribution? If not, it’s clear that one can shut the book on whether the Rams made the right choice.