The Dallas Cowboys have won three consecutive games and have clinched a spot in the 2021 NFL playoffs due to the San Francisco 49ers losing on Thursday night to the Tennessee Titans. However, although the team as a whole is having success, Wide Receiver Amari Cooper isn’t exactly flashing a smile these days.
Over the last month or so, the Cowboys’ offense has struggled to find a consistent rhythm, and it can be contributed in large part to the lack of opportunities that Cooper has been afforded. He made an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Thursday, and the four-time Pro Bowler mentioned how he’s patiently waiting to have a bigger impact in the Cowboys’ offense.
“We have a whole bunch of playmakers on offense,” Cooper said. “There’s only 1 ball. I think it’s more that than the defense. I’m not getting double-teamed or something like that. I’m just staying ready for when my opportunity comes because it will come.”
Over the last five games that Cooper has played in, he’s failed to gain more than 51 yards in any of them. His targets haven’t been plentiful either as he’s had five or fewer in four of those contests.
Cooper went on to speak about how he hasn’t been pleased with not getting the ball in crucial moments like when the Cowboys are on third down or are deep in their opponent’s territory, but reiterated that he’ll be ready when his number is called.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s not something I can control,” Cooper said. “I do think there’s a benefit in me getting the ball in those important situations like red zone and third down. …Like I said, I’m just going to stay ready for when that time comes.“
The Cowboys’ defense has led the way during their current three-game win streak. They have forced 12 turnovers and have only given up a total of 43 points. Cooper was asked if it bothered him that the Cowboys’ offense isn’t playing up to their abilities and that he isn’t getting the same amount of chances to make plays.
“I gotta be honest, it actually does,” Cooper said. “Because, yeah, we’re winning, but the defense is playing a huge part in that. We’re not really as explosive as we should be. We’re not converting a lot of their turnovers into touchdowns. A lot of them are field goals. And I feel like I could be a huge part of that, so that’s what frustrates me … I think I can do more in the red zone if I get some targets. I can do more on third down if I get the targets. To help the offense be what we need to be, I think I can definitely help change that.”
Cooper averaged eight targets a game during the first seven weeks of the season. That number has dropped to less than five per game since Week 9. Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Football Team is the perfect opportunity to get Cooper back in the thick of things. He’s shown in the past that he can explode for huge games at any given moment as he’s had several performances of 180 yards or more since joining the Cowboys in 2018.
