Rams-Lions Key Matchup: Cooper Kupp vs. Brian Branch
On Sunday night at Ford Field, it won't just be Matthew Stafford that the Lions have to worry about stopping.
Aaron Glenn's defense will also have to focus its attention on limiting the production of Stafford's two star wideouts: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Of the two, Nacua put up the bigger numbers in 2023. The first-year receiver, a fifth-round pick of the Rams last April, was a godsend for Stafford and Los Angeles’ passing attack. In fact, he set the NFL rookie record for both receptions (105) and yards (1,486) in a single season.
While Kupp didn't put up as gaudy of numbers as the rookie phenom, he's still more than capable of being a productive slot receiver. Kupp, who's just two seasons removed from his 2021 All-Pro campaign, amassed 59 receptions for 737 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games this past season. The 30-year-old also produced four games with at least seven catches and north of 110 yards, including in Weeks 14 and 15.
The seventh-year pro should be a handful for Detroit's secondary this weekend, especially with its well-advertised struggles against slot receivers.
Just how bad have the Lions been at defending receivers out of the slot? Well, over the last six games, they've allowed 11.5 yards per catch and 82.2 receiving yards per game to such pass-catchers.
Rookie defensive back Brian Branch is likely to draw the majority of the one-on-one reps with Kupp Sunday.
Branch, the No. 45 overall selection in the 2023 draft, notched 74 total tackles, including seven for loss, to go along with three interceptions (one returned for touchdown) and 13 passes defensed in 15 games this past season.
Additionally, in 468 pass coverage snaps, he permitted a passer rating against of 86.9, and earned a coverage grade of 76.0 from Pro Football Focus.
The Alabama product worked primarily out of the slot, logging 530 snaps at nickel corner. And, his overall body of work earned him a PFF grade of 78.1 (the 16th-best overall mark among all corners in ‘23).
As competent of a pass defender as Branch proved to be during his rookie campaign, I still expect Stafford to throw his way early and often Sunday. I'm predicting that Kupp will end up with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown against Branch and Detroit's secondary.
