The pressure to win Super Bowl LVI was on the Los Angeles Rams’ side.

They were the favored team against the upstart Cincinnati Bengals, especially since they were playing at home.

But aside from the entire team, wide receiver Cooper Kupp carried the heaviest burden before and during the game.

He had to perform well in the biggest game of the year because he’s the only player outside Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady to receive a league MVP vote.

Do it to get a crown that will last forever.

— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 14, 2022

The Offensive Player of the Year had to elevate his production when Odell Beckham Jr. exited the game due to a knee injury.

For a while, it looked like the Bengals had the Eastern Washington alum checked.

However, great players like Kupp always rise to the occasion when needed.

Kupp Was A Marked Man

It’s impossible to neutralize Kupp using man-to-man coverage.

Give him an open field against one defender, and chances are that he will win the matchup more often than not.

That huge catch that set up Matt Gay’s game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Divisional Weekend was a prime example of how he can burn defensive backs.

It’s not luck because that’s how he was during a season for the ages.

Cooper Kupp just had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.

— 1st in receptions, yards and TD
— 4th WR triple-crown since 1970
— 2nd most season receptions ever
— 2nd most season rec yards ever
— 6 TD in playoffs, 2nd most ever
— Most receptions in single playoffs pic.twitter.com/0wd5HlfcU4

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 14, 2022

The third-round draft pick won the wide receiver Triple Crown, leading the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16) after the regular season.

More importantly, he helped the Rams win the highly-competitive NFC West despite losing Robert Woods and Cam Akers for most of the season.

He kept on showing that he’s a top-notch receiver after consecutive 100-yard games during the playoffs against the Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Therefore, his ability became both a blessing and a curse.

Cooper Kupp had no college offers out of high school.

Now he’s the OPOY and a Super Bowl champion.

Never stopped grinding. pic.twitter.com/lBOUfmRXNI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 14, 2022

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A curse because the Bengals kept two defenders in his vicinity for most of Super Bowl LVI.

Meanwhile, it’s a blessing because his background of being a defensive back in high school enabled him to find open spots against the AFC champions.

That’s why the 28-year-old wide receiver still managed to finish with 92 yards and two touchdowns, even if everyone on defense kept an eye on him.

But when the chips were down, he’s the guy that Matthew Stafford trusted, despite the odds.

Super Kupp Seals The Victory

It looked like the Rams were staring at a second Super Bowl defeat in four seasons.

The Bengals held the lead late in the game, and they hadn’t scored on offense for most of the second half.

Worst, Cincinnati knew who Stafford would target when they needed to score.

Despite that information, Kupp made four receptions in what turned out to be the game-winning drive.

SUPER BOWL MVP: COOPER KUPP pic.twitter.com/a56985A651

— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022

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The most important catch was Stafford’s back-shoulder throw to Kupp, giving Los Angeles the lead.

That reception was Kupp’s 22nd touchdown in the 2021 campaign, making him only the third NFL wide receiver to have over 21 scoring catches in a season.

It’s an elite group because Jerry Rice and Randy Moss are the other two wideouts who achieved that feat.

Even without that accolade, Kupp puts a perfect exclamation point to a fantastic season.

Cooper Kupp's full season (21 games):

* 178 catches, 2,425 yards, 22 TD
* NFL regular season receiving triple crown
* Unanimous All-Pro
* Most catches in a single postseason (33)
* NFL Offensive Player of the Year
* Super Bowl MVP

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One of the greatest individual seasons ever.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 14, 2022

He’s now a Super Bowl champion, but he’s just getting started.

It’s scary to think that he’s right at the peak of his career and has much football left in him.

Once the Rams get Woods and Beckham back, the rest of the NFL won’t stand a chance against the Super Bowl LVI MVP.

The post Cooper Kupp Stepped Up When It Mattered Most appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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