BEREA — The questions for Amari Coope r a week ago were about why the Browns wide receiver w asn't connecting with his quarterback , Deshaun Watson. The subsequent game, he more than doubled his season's totals in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants .
However, that performance was still part of an overall offensive showing by the Browns that left plenty to be desired. That's because it seemed to be a case of a step forward followed by two steps backward coming on the heels of what seemed like progress in a Week 2 road win at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A week after Cooper was asked about his own part in the Browns' offensive struggles, he was asked about fixing the overall problems. While it was a more macro-level question compared to the micro-level one about his own performance, the answer was along the same lines.
"Yeah, just all being on the same page," Cooper said Thursday. "Obviously it starts with practice. That's why we're here today. So just go out there, fix our mistakes, play as a cohesive unit and problems will be fixed."
A good time for the Browns offense to start showing those repairs would be Sunday when they play at the Las Vegas Raiders in a matchup of 1-2 teams. The game will match a contrast of an offense from Cleveland near the bottom in multiple statistical categories against a Las Vegas defense that is similarly positioned.
Through three games, the Browns are 25th in points per game (16.67) and 24th in rushing yards per game (95.7). Those are their best numbers, as they're 30th in passing (152.3), 31st in total yards (248), and 32nd in third-down conversion rate (18.6%) and sacks allowed (16).
The Raiders defense, meanwhile, is 30th in total yards (378.7), 29th in rushing (15.7), 23rd in passing (226) and 27th in points allowed (27). They're tied for 24th in sacks (five), with star edge rusher Maxx Crosby having been hobbled with an ankle injury over the last week.
Despite that statistical battle, Cooper continues to point to when it's just the Browns against the Browns under the cloudy Berea skies as the moment to really fix the problem. It's not when it's going to be the Browns against the Raiders under the sunny Las Vegas skies, which will be blocked out by the stadium's roof.
"Yeah, of course," Cooper said. "I mean, that's what the league is all about — you playing games and making adjustments. So I think we've made the proper adjustments, but we still have to obviously go out there and execute on Sunday."
Cooper was a big part of when the Browns offense actually looked effective against the Giants. That started with a 24-yard touchdown catch on the game's first offensive play, and ended with five consecutive catches in the fourth quarter.
It was the best Cooper and quarterback Deshaun Watson have looked together this season, not difficult considering Cooper had entered the game with just five catches for 27 yards. He finished the game with seven catches for 86 yards.
It was the signs of production the Browns needed to see from the Pro Bowler. Now, they're looking to see a jump in production from Watson at the other end of the connection.
Cooper, who two year ago promised "fireworks" with the Browns offense, once again said it's possible to become the offense he and the rest of the players on that side of the ball believe it can be sooner rather than later.
"Yeah, most definitely," Cooper sad. "For sure. Just have to make a couple of tweaks that are really easy fixes, to be honest. But we definitely can be a high-powered passing offense if we stop making the same mistakes."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Amari Cooper believes in Browns offense, but it must 'stop making the same mistakes'
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