Kupp captures receiving triple crown but falls short of NFL records

Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp finished the 2021 season with the rare receiving triple crown, but fell shy of the NFL records he was chasing in Week 18.

Kupp entered the regular-season finale 11 catches away from Michael Thomas' single-season receptions record (149) and 136 yards short of Calvin Johnson's single-season mark (1,964). He notched seven receptions for 118 yards while adding a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

Nonetheless, the 28-year-old slot artist became the fourth receiver in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in catches, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. Steve Smith (2005), Sterling Sharpe (1992), and Jerry Rice (1990) accomplished the feat before him.

Cooper Kupp: 2021 stats

Kupp took his game to new heights in 2021, his first season with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. He had never reached 100 receptions, and had gone over 1,000 yards just once in his previous four campaigns, though he missed at least one game in three of them.

Kupp and the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.