Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams is having an incredible 2022 season. Through 10 games, Kupp has already amassed 1,277 receiving yards, putting him on pace to break the NFL’s single season receiving yards record. Calvin Johnson currently holds the record with 1,964 yards, set in 2012. With 6 games remaining, Kupp needs to average 163.5 yards per game to break Johnson’s mark.
What is the current NFL record for receiving yards in a season?
The current NFL record for most receiving yards in a single season is 1,964 yards, set by Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in 2012. In that historic season, Johnson caught 122 passes and found the end zone 5 times. His remarkable production helped earn him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Johnson broke one of the most coveted receiving records in the league, surpassing the previous mark of 1,848 yards set by Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1995. Rice had set the record in the strike-shortened, 12-game 1995 season, averaging 154 yards per game.
Johnson trailed Rice’s record pace through 12 games in 2012 but exploded over the final four games to make history. He put up at least 225 receiving yards in three of those last four games to end up with 1,964 yards, breaking Rice’s record by 116 yards.
What are Cooper Kupp’s receiving stats so far in 2022?
Here are Cooper Kupp’s receiving statistics through the first 10 games of the 2022 NFL season:
- Receptions: 93
- Receiving yards: 1,277
- Yards per reception: 13.7
- Receiving touchdowns: 7
- Targets: 127
- Catch rate: 73.2%
Kupp is on pace for 154 receptions, 1,916 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns over a 17-game season. He ranks first in the NFL in receptions and receiving yards through 10 weeks. His 93 catches also ties Michael Thomas for the most ever by a player through his team’s first 10 games.
Cooper Kupp’s receiving yards by game in 2022:
| Week | Opponent | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo Bills | 128 |
| 2 | Atlanta Falcons | 142 |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 44 |
| 4 | San Francisco 49ers | 122 |
| 5 | Dallas Cowboys | 125 |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | 80 |
| 7 | Bye Week | N/A |
| 8 | San Francisco 49ers | 81 |
| 9 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 127 |
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | 88 |
Kupp has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in 6 of his 9 games played. He’s also scored in 7 of the 10 Rams games this season, finding great consistency and production.
How many yards does Cooper Kupp need to break Calvin Johnson’s record?
With 6 games remaining in the regular season, Cooper Kupp needs 687 receiving yards to break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 receiving yards.
This averages out to 114.5 receiving yards per game for Kupp for the rest of the season.
Here is a breakdown of how many receiving yards Kupp would finish with depending on his per game average over the final 6 games:
| Receiving Yards Per Game | Projected Total Yards |
|---|---|
| 114 | 1,961 |
| 120 | 1,977 |
| 130 | 2,017 |
| 140 | 2,057 |
| 150 | 2,097 |
Based on his per game averages so far this season of 127.7 yards per game, Kupp is on pace to finish with 2,071 receiving yards if he maintains that level of production. That would give him 107 yards more than Johnson’s record.
What defenses does Cooper Kupp face in the final 6 games?
Here is a look at Cooper Kupp’s remaining opponents and their pass defense rankings:
| Week | Opponent | Passing YPG Allowed | Pass Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | New Orleans Saints | 182.7 | 5th |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs | 257.5 | 20th |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks | 248.8 | 27th |
| 14 | Las Vegas Raiders | 241.2 | 24th |
| 15 | Green Bay Packers | 195.5 | 8th |
| 16 | Los Angeles Chargers | 212.6 | 13th |
Kupp faces three top 10 pass defenses (Saints, Packers, Chargers) in the final stretch. The other three opponents (Chiefs, Seahawks, Raiders) all rank in the bottom half of the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Getting New Orleans and Green Bay at home in L.A. should help Kupp’s chances of continued big production.
Projecting Kupp’s Outlook Against Remaining Defenses
Based on the strengths and weaknesses of the remaining defenses on the schedule, here are projected yardage totals for Cooper Kupp in each of the final 6 games:
| Week | Opponent | Projected Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | New Orleans Saints | 89 |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs | 142 |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks | 127 |
| 14 | Las Vegas Raiders | 116 |
| 15 | Green Bay Packers | 102 |
| 16 | Los Angeles Chargers | 111 |
| Projected Total: | 687 |
Based on these projections, Kupp would finish the season with exactly 1,964 receiving yards, tying Calvin Johnson’s record. Of course, he’ll be aiming to break the record, not just equal it. But this gives a reasonable projection for Kupp’s outlook based on the level of competition.
What is Cooper Kupp’s likelihood of breaking the record?
Right now, Cooper Kupp has an excellent chance at breaking Calvin Johnson’s receiving record. Through 10 games, he is averaging 127.7 receiving yards per game. He only needs 114.5 yards per game for the rest of the season to break the record.
Kupp has clearly established himself as one of the top receivers in the NFL this year. He has tremendous chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford and has a knack for getting open consistently. Kupp has topped 100 receiving yards in over half his games this season.
Health is always a factor over the course of a grueling NFL season. But if Kupp can stay healthy, he should continue his torrid production pace. His routes and hands are crisp, and he racks up big yards after the catch.
The Rams offense also doesn’t have many other reliable options beyond Kupp right now. Los Angeles traded away Robert Woods and lost Allen Robinson to injury. This should funnel even more targets Kupp’s way.
Kupp does face some tough upcoming pass defenses like the Saints, Packers and Chargers. But he’s fared well against top competition already this season. As long as Matthew Stafford keeps feeding him the ball, Kupp has an excellent shot at making history.
All things considered, I would put Kupp’s current odds of breaking the NFL’s single season receiving record at 75% or better.
Cooper Kupp’s Key Strengths Down the Stretch
Here are some of Cooper Kupp’s standout qualities that will help his pursuit of the record over the final six games:
- Route running – Kupp is an elite route runner, consistently getting separation with his footwork, head fakes and sharp cuts.
- Yards after catch – Kupp has totaled 273 YAC this season, picking up chunks of yardage after securing receptions.
- Rapport with Stafford – The trust between QB and WR is clear as Stafford relentlessly targets Kupp.
- Slippery in space – Kupp has quick feet and shiftiness to dodge would-be tacklers.
- Contested catch ability – He can go up and high point the ball even when covered tightly.
- Football IQ – Kupp understands coverages and how to find soft spots in the defense.
These elite attributes make Kupp a mismatch nightmare for defenses. As long as he stays on the field, Kupp should continue his phenomenal production.
Who are some receivers who came close to the record?
Here are some of the most notable wide receivers who came close to breaking the NFL’s single season receiving yards record during their historic seasons:
- Jerry Rice – 1,848 yards in 1995
- Antonio Brown – 1,834 yards in 2015
- Julio Jones – 1,871 yards in 2015
- Adam Thielen – 1,627 yards in 2018 (through 12 games)
- Michael Thomas – 1,725 yards in 2019
- Andre Johnson – 1,575 yards in 2008
Rice and Johnson are both Hall of Famers who dominated the NFL for over a decade. Jones and Thomas have been first-team All-Pros multiple times. Brown and Thielen had remarkable breakout seasons that almost resulted in history.
Ultimately, Calvin Johnson’s magical 1,964-yard campaign has withstood all challengers since 2012. But Cooper Kupp in 2022 appears to have the best shot yet at topping Megatron’s benchmark.
What impact could breaking the record have on Cooper Kupp’s legacy?
If Cooper Kupp breaks Calvin Johnson’s NFL record for receiving yards in a season, it would certainly take his legacy to another level. He’s already proven himself as arguably the top wideout in the game today. But holding this prestigious all-time record would further cement his status.
Anytime you break a record held by an all-time great like Johnson, it’s an incredible achievement. Kupp would forever be mentioned alongside the likes of Jerry Rice and Johnson himself in conversations about the greatest receiving seasons ever.
This would likely be Kupp’s second straight season leading the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns – a feat only three players have ever accomplished. Back-to-back triple crown seasons would be historic.
Kupp could strengthen his case for Hall of Fame enshrinement down the road. The record would look great when his career accolades are inevitably measured against his peers.
He would almost certainly win Offensive Player of the Year honors again in 2022. And he’d have to be considered among the top candidates for NFL MVP as well.
Breaking this hallowed record once held by “Megatron” himself would be an extraordinary capstone on Cooper Kupp’s recent run of elite production. It would further elevate his status as a true all-time great at the wide receiver position.
Conclusion
Cooper Kupp is within striking distance of breaking Calvin Johnson’s NFL record for receiving yards in a season. It won’t come easy, as Kupp still needs to average 114.5 yards per game over the Rams’ final six contests to top Megatron’s historic 1,964 yard total from 2012.
Kupp’s odds are strong based on his incredible production so far in 2022. His connection with Matthew Stafford has been unstoppable, as defenses struggle to contain Kupp’s superb route running and yards after catch ability. Health permitting, he has an excellent shot at surpassing 2,000 receiving yards for the year.
Breaking this prestigious all-time record would take Cooper Kupp’s legacy to another level. He would cement his place among the greatest receivers ever to play in the NFL. It would be a fitting culmination to what has been a dominant two-year stretch of unmatched productivity for Kupp. All eyes will be on him down the stretch as he pursues one of the game’s most coveted records.
