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Amari Cooper has Dallas Cowboys in driver’s seat to win NFC East

Tim Heitman - USA TODAY Sports

Jon Gruden was the last person that Jerry and Stephen Jones thought they would thank for anything football related; however, acquiring Amari Cooper from the Raiders for a first-round pick may have probably saved all hope for the Cowboys in terms of making the playoffs. 

For the owner and president of the franchise, the former University of Alabama wide receiver has made life better for Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot.

Prior to getting an elite target, Dallas was 3-4 on the season and left for dead in having any postseason thoughts.

The addition of Cooper has pushed the Cowboys to a 3-1 mark in its last four games – including a 31-23 win over the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving, to improve to 6-5. 

Prescott had his best game of the season, as he found Cooper eight times for 180 yards with two touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder collected four receptions that went for first downs, while his two scores came on 40 and 90-yard runs after the catch. Along with averaging 25.1 per grab, the Florida native would also showcase his basketball moves for celebration in the end zone. 

In four games with the Cowboys, Cooper tallies 22 receptions for 349 yards with three touchdowns on an average of 14.65 yards a catch. He is having fun doing what he loves and the former Fred Biletnikoff Award winner has Dallas in first place in the NFC East.

Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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