Amari Cooper breaks the Cleveland Browns’ individual game receiving record by amassing 265 yards in a standout performance against the Texans.
Merry Christmas, Cleveland Browns enthusiasts! This holiday season, a remarkable gift awaits you under the metaphorical tree—a fresh franchise receiving record, courtesy of Amari Cooper and his accomplice, quarterback Joe Flacco.
In a spectacular performance, Cooper racked up an impressive 265 yards on 11 receptions (out of 15 targets) and secured two touchdowns, propelling the Browns to a triumphant 36-22 victory over the Houston Texans. This stellar display solidified the Browns’ position as the fifth seed in the AFC playoff race.
The previous organizational record of 261 yards was held by Josh Gordon over a decade ago, achieved in a Week 13 match against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he made 10 catches and scored two touchdowns.
During the team’s final drive, someone on the sideline informed Flacco that Cooper needed just 10 more yards to break the record. Unperturbed, Flacco recognized Cooper’s exceptional abilities and understood that there was no need to force the ball his way.
Describing Cooper as a “special player,” Flacco acknowledged his teammate’s extraordinary talent.
Cooper’s prior career best was 226 yards, recorded during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 5 game against the Green Bay Packers on October 6, 2019. In this latest performance, Cooper had a pivotal 75-yard play, burning Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross, overcoming a pass interference penalty, and sprinting into the end zone for a touchdown.
One of the most remarkable moments occurred in the third quarter when Flacco, under pressure, executed a flawless pass to the sideline, and Cooper, while being taken down, managed to keep both feet in bounds for an incredible catch. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski lauded it as “an incredible play” by both players.
Earlier in the game, Cooper etched his name into Browns history by becoming the first pass-catcher in team history to achieve back-to-back 1,000 receiving yard seasons. This milestone was marked by a 53-yard connection from Flacco in the opening possession, setting up the Browns’ first touchdown. By the end of the game, Cooper surpassed his 2022 final receiving total of 1,160 yards, securing his sixth 1,000-yard season.
Stefanski expressed his joy for Cooper, describing him as a consummate professional and a game-savvy individual who has emerged as a leader for the Browns amid the challenges posed by starting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury.
Notably, according to ESPN Stats and Information, Cooper joined Terrell Owens as the only receiver to achieve 200-yard games for three different franchises.
The unexpected success of Flacco, who was signed off the couch and currently boasts a 3-1 record as the Cleveland starter, has undoubtedly played a significant role in Cooper’s outstanding performances. In the trio’s first three games together, Cooper amassed 14 catches (out of 27 targets) for 220 yards and one touchdown, including a notable 109-yard effort in last week’s 20-17 victory against the Chicago Bears.
