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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who completed four touchdown passes, throws against the Vikings in the fourth quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
There were two Matthew Stafford moments suitable for framing in the Rams’ upset of the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
First, a touchdown to Cooper Kupp. Stafford twisted free of an unblocked defender rushing up the middle, ducked under a second would-be tackler, then scissored his legs like a high-stepping Houdini an instant before finding the star receiver with a seven-yard scoring pass.
Kupp said he and Stafford talked about the split-legged move that morning, having watched another quarterback do it, and Stafford claimed he was too old to attempt it.
“I had a great view of him doing that exact thing,” Kupp said. “After he threw the ball I was looking for him like, `You liar.’ He needs a little self-doubt there. He needs to doubt himself a little bit so he can see, `Oh, maybe I can do that.’”
Next, a pinpoint, 25-yard touchdown to Demarcus Robinson. Actually, the first option on the play was Kupp, but Stafford gave Robinson an early indication the ball might be coming to him.
Read more: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s return sparks Rams’ upset of Vikings
“It was a little choice route inside for Cooper, but to be honest with you, something in the huddle before the snap I’m like, ‘Hey, D-Rob, be live on this,’” Stafford said. “It just felt like we might catch man coverage.”
Stafford split two defenders — one of which was flagged for pass interference — with an exquisitely precise throw. It was equivalent to the quarterback tossing the ball through an open window of a car zipping past on the 405.
“Only one place he could have put that ball,” said Robinson, who caught two scoring passes in the 30-20 victory.
Two weeks ago, the Rams were heading into their off week at 1-4 with a slew of injuries and pretty much circling the drain. Now, they have won two games in five days and their…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cooper-kupp-puka-nacua-back-100043155.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-10-25 10:00:43
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