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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp have had many plays to celebrate over the years, including Kupp’s “triple crown” season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
It’s no coincidence.
In 2012, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions established an NFL record for yards receiving in a season.
It’s not unexplainable luck.
In 2021, Cooper Kupp of the Rams achieved the so-called triple crown of receiving by leading the NFL in catches, yards receiving and touchdown catches.
It’s becoming a trend.
This season Rams receiver Puka Nacua established NFL rookie records for catches and yards receiving.
“It starts with a common denominator — all those things,” Kupp said. “And it’s Matthew Stafford.”
Stafford, the Rams’ veteran quarterback, is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. The 15th-year pro ranks 11th in passing yardage (56,047) and touchdowns (357), according to profootballreference.com
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates his touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp (left) in 2021, the year the receiver won the “Triple Crown” of pass catchers. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford, 35, played 12 seasons for Detroit Lions before he was traded to the Rams in 2021. In his first season with coach Sean McVay, he led the Rams to a Super Bowl title. After an injury-plagued 2022, he has led them back to the playoffs.
On Sunday the Rams will play the Lions in an NFC wild-card game at Ford Field, Detroit’s first home playoff game in 30 years.
It is a homecoming for a quarterback who had the major hand in historic seasons for Johnson, Kupp and Nacua.
“It’s not a coincidence,” McVay said. “Those guys are all great receivers … and they earned the credit that’s come their way. But I don’t think that that’s occurring with just anybody, and that’s one of the things that makes Matthew special.
“The best elevate people around them.”
Read more: Rams’ Aaron Donald vs. Lions’ Jared Goff: ‘You know some things’
That is what…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/matthew-stafford-effect-calvin-johnson-120054755.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-01-12 12:00:54
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