As he chases history with one game left to play, Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp has arguably been the MVP of fantasy football, nearly single-handedly taking managers to their championships. With multiple records in his grasp, can Kupp rewrite the record books against the San Francisco 49ers, and what can fantasy managers expect out of the top-scoring player on the season?
Cooper Kupp is having a season for the ages
Do you remember when we were arguing back in August between Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp and who was the better fourth-round pick? Those were the days.
Playing in 16 games, Kupp set the NFL on fire thanks to the offseason QB change from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford. He has a staggering 138 receptions on 184 targets for 1,829 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those are Madden numbers. On a per-game average, that’s 11.5 targets, 8.6 receptions, 114.3 yards, and 0.94 touchdowns.
He is No. 1 in the NFL in target share (33.1%), No. 7 in air yards (1,563), and has more touchdowns than the Jaguars, Panthers, Giants, and is tied with the Bears. From a fantasy aspect, Kupp has blown away the competition. His 412.9 points make him one of just 13 players ever to score 400 or more points in a season. He is also the only receiver ever to hit this milestone.
As we know, this is not the only record Kupp has broken or has a chance to break on Sunday against the 49ers. One more sensational game could see Kupp cap off one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.
Multiple records are up for grabs, including the Triple Crown
While some teams or players lack motivation in Week 18, that will be the last thing on Kupp’s mind Sunday. For one, he needs 12 receptions to break Michael Thomas’ receiving record sat in 2019. Kupp is also 136 yards shy of setting a new receiving yards record, breaking Calvin Johnson’s 2012 mark. But that isn’t all.
Kupp is also set to win the Triple Crown. No, I don’t mean the Derby, Belmont, Preakness, or even talking about his batting average and Miguel Cabrera. I mean receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Kupp currently leads in all three categories. He would be the fourth receiver in NFL history to win the Triple Crown, joining Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), and Steve Smith (2005).
I’m not done yet. I haven’t even talked about fantasy records. Not only has Kupp already become the first WR to have 400+ PPR points, but he can set a new record for per-game scoring by a wide receiver. It is currently held by Davante Adams, who set it in 2020 on the heels of his 115-reception, 1,374-yard, and 18-touchdown season. In that year, Adams averaged 25.6 PPR points, scored 30+ in six of his 14 games, and finished as a WR1 (top 12) eight times.
Heading into Week 18, Kupp leads Adams with 25.8 PPR points. He’s also topped him with 13 of his 16 games as a WR1 or better while his six contests of 30+ fantasy points is currently tied with Adams. If Kupp manages to break the NFL records, he will also clinch the fantasy record with a bare minimum of 25.6 PPR points, assuming 12 receptions for 136 yards exactly.
What can fantasy managers expect out of Kupp in Week 18?
There are plenty of storylines on Sunday. Playoff seeding, draft order, contract incentives, fantasy championships, and potential new records. Everyone and their mom knows what Kupp needs, including the guys on the field. Even at the expense of others on the Rams’ offense, the first, second, third, and fourth option on Sunday will be Kupp.
I completely understand the thought of the 49ers not wanting this to happen against them. Plus, they need a win to get into the playoffs. The flaw with that is every single team has known the ball was going to Kupp and couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Why will this be any different?
I am all in on Kupp rewriting history. I think he gets them all. It might “only” be 13 receptions and 140 yards, but I can’t see Kupp getting this far and the team not making sure this history happens. I pity the person playing against him in fantasy. I hope there is a prize for second place at least.