3 players the Commanders must keep quiet at LA Rams in Week 15
By James Dudko
Commanders need double coverage for Cooper Kupp
Crowding Puka Nacua is one thing, but Ron Rivera needs to leave room for double coverage on Cooper Kupp. The latter isn't the force he once was, but the wideout is still quarterback Matthew Stafford's go-to target in crunch time.
Taking away No. 10 is never easy, but bracket coverage with a cornerback in press and a safety hovering over the top can work. Keeping Benjamin St-Juste over Kupp should be the start.
What Rivera can't do is try and get cute with his coverage, the way he did against Tyreek Hill two weeks ago. He is the NFL's premier deep threat, but the Washington Commanders head coach and defensive play-caller somehow thought it was a good idea to have only one deep safety, Kamren Curl.
Worse still, Rivera had No. 31 positioned away from Hill's side of the field. Predictably, the electrifying wideout got free for a 78-yard touchdown catch, per Next Gen Stats.
Tua Tagovailoa & Tyreek Hill (78-yd TD)
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 3, 2023
Hill reached a top speed of 21.68 mph, the 5th-fastest speed by a ball carrier this season. Hill has reached 20+ mph 16 times this season, 10 more than the next closest ball carrier.#MIAvsWAS | #FinsUp
Tua & Hill have combined for 16… pic.twitter.com/nVr645i2os
Kupp can't see a single look like this. Otherwise, the Commanders will endure similar hardship in the passing game at the hands of Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
It will also be about numbers when the Commanders attempt to contain the linchpin of the Rams' defense.