When the Los Angeles Rams host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, the NFC West race won’t be the only storyline in the spotlight.
For the first time ever, the Rams will line up across from Cooper Kupp-the Super Bowl MVP, record-setting receiver, and beloved leader who helped define the Sean McVay era.
Now, he’s wearing navy and action green. And the reunion with his former protégé, Puka Nacua, adds a layer of emotion to what is already one of the biggest games on the NFL calendar. For two seasons, Nacua viewed Kupp like an older brother-someone who helped him transition from promising rookie to one of the NFL‘s most dangerous receivers.
A foreign feeling for Puka
From film study to footwork, note-taking to route discipline, Kupp set the standard. “A foreign feeling for sure,” Nacua said Thursday when asked about facing his former mentor.
“I know I’m excited to see him… You have some games that you remember the dates and this has been one that I’m excited for.” Even after Kupp‘s offseason release and subsequent signing with Seattle, the mutual respect never faded. They exchanged texts during the week. Sunday, they’ll meet again-just on opposite sidelines.
This matchup deserves prime time-two elite offenses, two elite defenses, and two teams that haven’t trailed in nearly a month. Both last lost in Week 5. Both had Week 8 byes. Both have the top point differentials in the NFC. But as good as the national spotlight would have been, this slugfest belongs in the sunlight.
Rams will try to reinforce their dominance
The NFC West essentially ran through these two teams last season, when the Rams’ overtime win in November became the deciding factor in the division race. Now, in Week 11, the Rams will try to reinforce that the road to the division title still runs through Los Angeles.
There might not be two teams in the NFL more evenly matched on paper: quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford might be playing the best football of their careers But the subtle differences may determine Sunday’s winner.
The Rams are third in offensive run efficiency, while Seattle sits at 21st. That could lead to McVay leaning on a ball-control attack-something he’s done before. Remember the nine straight runs to open the game in Baltimore in 2023? Don’t be surprised if he tests Seattle’s front early and often. On the other side, Seattle will challenge L.A. with multiple tight end sets and play-action wrinkles-areas where Darnold has thrived under head coach Mike Macdonald.
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