As the playoff picture for the National Football League continues to shape out, a pair of superstars from the University of Alabama are making sure their teams remain in the race for a postseason berth.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper and running back Derrick Henry received Offensive Player of the Week honors via the NFL, following their performances in Week 14.
Since being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Cooper has been sensational. He’s accounted for 642 receiving yards with six touchdowns on 40 catches, and turned in his finest game last week versus Philadelphia at AT&T Stadium.
Offensive Players of the Week (Week 14):
NFC: @dallascowboys WR @AmariCooper9
AFC: @Titans RB @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/OZiwWDNrXj— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2018
Cooper brought in 10 passes for 217 yards with three scores, helping the Cowboys earn a 27-23 win in overtime.
While all three of his touchdowns gave Dallas the lead, it was Cooper’s second matchup where he tallied at least 100 yards receiving. His outing earned him a weekly honor for the National Football Conference and has the Cowboys at 8-5, holding the fourth overall seed.
As for Henry, he had a career game against Jacksonville.
RELATED: Derrick Henry nominated for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week
The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder made the most of his 17 carries for the Tennessee Titans, pounding the Jaguars for the 238 yards rushing with four touchdowns.
His run of 99 yards to pay dirt was a combination of brute strength and speed, as he stiff-armed multiple wimpy tacklers for a score.
Henry’s efforts on the run tied Pro Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett, for the longest touchdown run in league history.
He assisted the Titans to a 30-9 win, improving the franchise to 7-6 and keeping it alive for the playoff race in the American Football Conference.
Henry sits at 712 yards rushing with nine scores through 13 regular season games.
He was the recipient of the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week and according to the Titans’ coaching staff, he will get “more opportunities.”
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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.
