Trust the Amari Cooper-Dak Prescott Connection in Week 1
By Peter Dewey
Dak Prescott will be back under center for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the NFL season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and there may not be anyone happier than Dallas wideout Amari Cooper.
Sure, Cowboys fans are glad Dak’s back, but his top target is going to be rejuvenated to see no. 4 taking snaps again in the regular season.
Cooper and Prescott were off to an unreal start last season through the first four weeks, as Cooper had amassed 37 catches on 51 targets for 401 yards and a touchdown.
Prescott was throwing for nearly 400 yards per game before he went down with a season-ending ankle injury, and I’d expect him to pick up right where he left off in 2021.
Dallas is an eight-point underdog against the Bucs on WynnBET, and it will need to score points in bunches to keep up with Tom Brady and the high-powered Tampa Bay offense.
Cooper has two player props for Thursday night’s matchup, with his receptions prop being set at 5.0, with the over (-125) favored to the under (-115). He also is projected to pick up 63.5 receiving yards with the over (-125) favored again to the under (-115).
Prescott and Cooper were on a tear last season, and I’m going to take the over on Cooper’s receptions prop with confidence in this one. Even with CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup in the fold, Prescott looked Cooper’s way 51 times in the first four games. Gallup and Lamb combined for just 53 targets over that same stretch.
Are Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper in sync after missed time?
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) September 6, 2021
Amari: “I would say we’re on the same page. We communicate a lot out there. But it’s an eternal journey. It’s not just something where I would say we’ve arrived already. We’re trying to get better every day.” pic.twitter.com/l5qNxbkDm1
Lamb is a popular breakout candidate, but Cooper is the team’s WR1 until further notice. Let's just say he's pretty confident in his abilities.
"I think I'm the best receiver in the league," Cooper said. "But there's a difference between thinking you're the best and actually going out there and proving it. Do I think I'm the best? Yes. Have I proven it? I wouldn't say I have."
He had six or more catches and nine or more targets in the four games Prescott finished last season, and even with the Cowboys’ quarterback struggles after Dak was injured, Cooper still had five or more catches in seven games the remainder of the season.
Cooper may be an old name in the Cowboys offense, but don’t be surprised if he’s the team’s leading receiver this season once again.
Interested in making this pick on Amari Cooper's receptions prop? What about fading it? Make your pick on the WynnBET app.