Amari Cooper Lifts P.J. Walker In Big Ways In Browns’ Massive Upset

Cooper accounted for over half of the Browns’ receiving yards output in their improbable win over the 49ers

On a day when their offense was without its starting quarterback and needed every completion possible to compete with the NFL’s best team, the Cleveland Browns turned to their most reliable weapon to create their most crucial plays.

WR Amari Cooper showed his unmistakable value once again to the Browns, who were always going to need to rely on him if backup QB P.J. Walker was going to have any chance of producing points.

Cooper was targeted eight times and caught only four passes, but all of them were critical completions in the Browns’ 19-17 win over the 49ers on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs with the ball after a catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) and linebacker Oren Burks (48) defend during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The four-time Pro Bowler tallied receptions of 11, 58, 26 and 13 yards, and all of them happened on the Browns’ four scoring drives of the game. He was the most dependable outlet for Walker, who faced long odds of finding much success against a 49ers defense that entered Week 6 ranked first in the league in points allowed per game (13.6).

Cooper, though, helped him out with some of the finest plays he’s made since the Browns traded for him in 2022.

This was his 58-yard play, which featured him putting a move that sent 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir to the grass. The catch and run set the Browns up for their lone touchdown of the day two plays later.

Amari left him in the dust 😮‍💨#SFvsCLE on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/SYT9NrXRjv

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 15, 2023

“I studied those guys all week," Cooper said. "You study the tendencies of the cornerback, and realize that they are aggressive and use their hands a lot. It made me come to the realization that I just need to be patient, so I made a couple guys fall at the line."

Then, there was this 26-yard reception that showcases what Cooper’s game is about: precise route-running and some of the finest receiving handwork and body control in the league.

Amari brought down the jump ball!! 🤯#SFvsCLE on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/H5GLyYzL1T

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 15, 2023

“A lot of people don’t get to see me do that, that often, so they mistake it for me not being able to do it," Cooper said. "That’s been a theory since I came out of college because generally I try to get wide open. I’m not often in that position but I have been a receiver since I was a kid, and that's something I’ve always worked on, so it was really like a typical catch for me.”

The defense was the indisputable MVP of the Browns’ massive upset, but Cooper’s big game is plenty deserving of a game ball, too.

Without him, the rest of the Browns’ receivers accounted for just 90 yards.

It was another game that makes you wonder how GM Andrew Berry managed to swipe him from the Cowboys for just a 2022 fifth-round pick.