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How Amari Cooper has changed the Dallas Cowboys’ offense

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch in the opening drive against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch in the opening drive against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Ezekiel Elliott
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball as Tre Sullivan #37 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on November 11,2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The answer: Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper’s longest reception against the Eagles went for 24 yards. He was targeted 10 times, resulting in six receptions for 75 yards. At least a few of those missed targets to Cooper were 20-plus yards down the field. Should Prescott have hit Cooper on some of those? Yes. Cooper was open enough that Prescott should have hit him.

Even though Prescott didn’t hit Amari Cooper on those plays down the field, it did open up the field for the rest of the offense. Because the Eagles knew Amari Cooper could get open and Dak was willing to take a shot down the field to him, they couldn’t take away other receivers like many other teams have been able to do. This opened up the field for receivers such as Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns and Ezekiel Elliott, making it much easier for Prescott to find the open man.

Now let’s go back to the performance of Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott had his second best game in rushing yards (151), while tying his best performance in yards per carry (7.9). This came after two games of rushing for 33 yards (season low) and 61 yards. Elliott didn’t have a TD in either of those games. So what changed for Zeke?

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