Since naming Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback, the Cleveland Browns have become a different squad. Amari Cooper had a historic day on Sunday as the Browns won their third game in a row.
Cooper caught 11 passes for a career-high 265 receiving yards while Flacco was tossing him the ball. He also had two touchdown receptions in Cleveland’s 36-22 victory.
Cooper surpassed 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his career after the explosive game, and he now ranks sixth in the league in receiving yards. He appears to have a fan in New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
With the Browns and Jets meeting this Thursday, Rodgers praised Cleveland’s approach and praised Flacco and Cooper.
“Joe Flacco has always been a great deep ball thrower, and I’m happy for him,” Rodgers told Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show. “Amari Cooper was fantastic on Sunday and I’ve always been a fan of his.”
Rodgers stated that while he is not friends with Flacco, he is pleased to see another veteran quarterback establishing his worth in the NFL.
Changing the course of a season
Deshaun Watson’s injury might have easily ended the Browns’ season. Instead, Cleveland has ridden a strong defense and Joe Flacco’s revival to a 10-5 record and a playoff berth.
Who thought Flacco had it in him, or that the Browns were ready to take a risk on him? They didn’t settle for second best after losing Watson for the season, much to the chagrin of PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
However, there is no denying that Flacco has performed admirably for the Browns thus far. Of course, having a receiver like Amari Cooper to throw to helps.
Cooper had 25 receptions for 485 yards and three touchdowns in four games that Flacco started. Those are impressive figures from a third or fourth receiver over the course of a season, and Cooper accomplished them in only four games.
Joe Flacco became the Browns’ hidden weapon, and Amari Cooper is grateful.
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