CLEVELAND — How great is it to have a top-shelf receiver?
Ever since arriving in Cleveland a year ago, Amari Cooper has proven his worth to the Browns' offense. That has once again been plain to see Sunday as the team hosts the Arizona Cardinals.
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With quarterback Deshaun Watson still getting his bearings back after missing multiple weeks with a shoulder injury, the play-calling has been somewhat limited. Still, he can always rely on his trusted security blanket at wide receiver, who thus far has made two big catches in the first half.
To start, Watson found Cooper wide open for a 59-yard gain in the opening quarter, setting up a 30-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal to put Cleveland on the board first. On the offense's next series, it was the running game that helped get the Browns into the red zone before Kevin Stefanski called for a pass play, but the throw was deflected at the line of scrimmage and sent into the air.
Fortunately, unlike last week, the bounce went Cleveland's way, and Cooper used his impeccable concentration to haul it in for an 11-yard touchdown. It was his third catch of the day, giving the team a 10-0 lead and also making him responsible for the bulk of the Browns' passing offense.
Heading into this weekend, Cooper had 30 catches for 478 yards and a score. His mark of 15.9 yards per reception is a career-high, so far.
