Breven Honda
Although the Los Angeles Rams do not have some of their star-caliber names like they had two years ago when they were crowned the Super Bowl Champions, they are on the path to making the postseason.
Through six games, the Rams are 3-3 and have a prime opportunity to get over .500 on Sunday when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) inside SoFi Stadium at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles has won the games it needed to, including taking a Week 1 road victory in Seattle to give them the motivation to start the year. Although the Rams have lost to San Francisco, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, all three of those matchups have been decided by nine points or less.
The Rams have been able to find success in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – to keep them in the postseason hunt through one-third of the season as they enter this week in the No. 7 position of the playoff picture, which would be the final spot on the NFC side of the bracket.
Here’s four players who have made an impact to Los Angeles’ Rams season through six weeks.
The return of Cooper Kupp
The most obvious part to the Rams’ success this season, especially in the last couple of weeks, has been the return of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was out for the team’s first four games due to a hamstring injury.
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Kupp has looked like he has not missed a beat since he returned to the Rams offense.
- Week 5 vs. Philadelphia: 8 receptions, 12 targets, 118 yards
- Week 6 vs. Arizona: 7 receptions, 9 targets, 148 yards, 1 touchdown, 21.1 yards per reception
That touchdown grab against Arizona from quarterback Matthew Stafford, which marked his first reception in the end zone since Nov. 6, 2022, came on a third-and-9 at the 13-yard line on the opening drive coming out of the second half.
The impact that Kupp is having this early in his return only elevates the offense, especially with that touchdown capping off a 10-play, 75-yard drive, taking six minutes off the clock.
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With his performance on Sunday, Kupp has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in 18 games over the past three seasons, trailing only Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.
The emergence of Puka Nacua
During Kupp’s four-game absence, someone among the Rams’ receivers had to step up. After the team’s first game in the 30-13 victory in Seattle, it was between Tutu Atwell and rookie Puka Nacua.
Ultimately, it was Nacua, who was drafted in the fifth round last April.
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After recording 10 receptions for 119 yards on 15 targets against the Seahawks, he followed that up with 15 receptions for 147 in a loss to San Francisco, truly showing that he is the No. 1 option at least until Kupp returns.
Two weeks later, the Rams recorded their second road win of the season in Indianapolis as Nacua recorded the game-winning touchdown in overtime for a 29-23 win and the Brigham Young alum totaled nine receptions for 163 yards and his walk-off six-pointer.
Even in Kupp’s return, Nacua has still been a big impact to the team, although it may not show in his receiving line, from the blocking in the run game to understanding the entire picture in the offense.
Kyren Williams stepping up in the run game
Entering the season, the Rams’ starting running back job appeared to be locked in stone with Cam Akers taking that role. Instead, Kyren Williams took over. Coincidentally, like Nacua, Williams is a former late-round pick who has stepped up as a key piece of the Rams’ offense.
Williams, who ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards, has recorded at least 10 carries in every game and has two triple-digit rushing yard totals in his last three games, including this past Sunday.
Against the Cardinals, Williams rushed 20 times for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown.
However, at halftime, he only had four rushing yards on two carries.
Whether his four yards through 30 minutes is due to the return of Kupp or not, the second half explained his importance and versatility Williams brings to the offense.
Although Williams suffered an ankle injury and will be out on Sunday against Pittsburgh, he has shown how important he is to the offense and can take the pressure off Kupp and Stafford, if and when they need to.
Ernest Jones has emerged as the Los Angeles Rams’ top linebacker
Besides Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams do not have the superstar names on the defensive side of the ball like they have in year’s past, like cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was traded to Miami during this past offseason.
However, that has not stopped the defense from making plays, ranking second in the NFL with a 56.9 completion percentage against opposing quarterbacks,
As a result, it has been different players needing to step up, including third-year linebacker Ernest Jones, who enters the starting role after Bobby Wagner returned to Seattle.
Through six games, Jones has been effective against the run and the pass.
According to The Next Gen Stats Analytics Team, they rank Jones seventh among off-ball linebackers entering this week.
Jones’ 63 tackles lead the team and rank fourth in the NFL. He has given up 3.1 yards per attempt when targeted as the closest defender while in coverage this season, minimum 10 targets, which is fourth-best out of 60 off-ball linebackers.
In the run game, his 10 run stuffs are tied with Donald.
The Rams been able to find success and they have to keep it going with their next man mentality, whether it is in the run game with Williams sidelined or it is elsewhere on the roster.
