The Steelers defense had a lot to focus on coming into Sunday’s “road” game against the Los Angeles Rams in SoFi Stadium.

Despite having little in the running game, the Rams boasted several high powered weapons on the offensive side of the ball. An extremely talented duo of wide receivers were going to give the Steelers’ secondary fits, especially as the struggles of both cornerbacks Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson have been on display for weeks now.

Both Cooper Kupp and rookie fifth round pick Puka Nucua, with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford could have both had field days against Pittsburgh, and Nacua definitely did.

The Las Vegas native had 8 catches for 154 yards, routinely torching the Steelers defense as he moved through with ease. It was the second highest receiving yard total in his very young career, and his average of 19.3 yards per catch was the highest number he’s put up to date.

It was yet another strong showing from the man who is putting together quite the case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

But while Nacua was doing basically whatever he pleased, the Steelers did an excellent job limiting LA’s other major threat: Cooper Kupp.

The 2021 Offensive Player of the Year was limited to just 2 catches on 7 targets for 29 total yards. The Steelers did get a few favors: some uncharacteristic drops by Kupp and a semi-stolen touchdown pass by LA’s Tutu Atwell that was initially intended for Kupp, but Pittsburgh was able to effectively neutralize his threat in the passing game.

Because of that, as the Rams saw their leads evaporate and the team was in desperate need of a touchdown drive, the LA offense stalled out. Kupp was targeted 4 times in the second half, where he was held without a catch. He did draw a defensive holding on one, but another pass in his direction was intercepted by the great TJ Watt, who read that play perfectly and leaped in like a cornerback to snag it from Kupp.

While Nacua could run around and do whatever, he ended up being the only real option for the Rams. And that’s a serious problem for any offense to have, but especially one facing the Steelers defense, which loves to bring pressure to the quarterback.

Kupp’s lone highlight on the day was a 24 yard catch that brought the Rams to midfield early in the second quarter, but virtually all of his progress was backpedaled after consecutive penalties on the offense were called. Matthew Stafford was assessed an intentional grounding penalty and Coleman Shelton got dinged with a holding call.

That drive would end in a punt just two plays later.

Other than that, Kupp had one other grab for a short 5 yard gain, and that was it.

The Steelers did a beautiful job taking one of the biggest threats out of that game, and it allowed the defense to get some extra rest on the sideline (something they are definitely not used to).

In addition, the defense’s halts, as they often do, translated some momentum to an offense that actually resembled a real NFL offense.

Kupp hadn’t had such few receptions in nearly three full years. His last game in which he caught 2 passes or less was all the way back on November 29th, 2020, against the San Francisco 49ers.

Kupp has now played the Steelers twice in his career, and believe it or not, this was his better outing against Pittsburgh. His first game vs the Steelers came back in 2019, when the Rams visited Heinz Field. In that game, Kupp went without a single reception from quarterback Jared Goff on 4 targets.

Los Angeles would lose that rock fight 17-12.

Pittsburgh now owns 2 of Kupp’s 8 lowest receiving yards totals in his NFL career.

(Featured image by Harry How/Getty Images)