Amari Cooper’s 2024 NFL season has been far from the expectations with injuries and a lack of production making it the worst of his 10 years in the league. He started as the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 receiving option but was traded to the Buffalo Bills after six games.
Cooper made multiple appearances on the Bills’ injury report this season, missing two games in November, one in December, and the regular season finale against the New England Patriots (though for personal reasons).
However, the wide receiver played in the Wild Card and Divisional Round. Ahead of the Bills’ AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 26, let’s examine his injury status, his limited playoff production, and more.
What Is Amari Cooper’s Injury Status Ahead of the AFC Championship?
Cooper suffered a wrist injury in November and missed the Week 9 and 10 games. He returned to action against the Chiefs for Week 11 and registered two receptions for 55 yards.
The 30-year-old faced issues with his wrist again in December, missing one game against the Detroit Lions which the Bills won nonetheless. The receiver’s fitness was in question again at the start of the year after he hit his head on the turf during a 30-yard touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 17.
While Cooper underwent a concussion check on the sideline and was cleared to continue, he was doubtful for the regular season finale against the New England Patriots with a back issue.
However, he was downgraded to out after being excused for a personal family matter, as reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter.
“Bills WR Amari Cooper has been downgraded to out. He will not travel and has been excused for a personal family matter.”
The veteran receiver rejoined the team after a four-day absence and has been featured in both playoff games. While he hasn’t been able to leave his mark since returning, the 30-year-old is healthy and will likely play against the Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Cooper Struggling In Playoffs But Has ‘Absolutely No Complaints’
Since returning to action in the Wild Card Round, Cooper has managed two catches for eight yards in two games. However, he has won twice, something the 30-year-old wasn’t used to in his previous playoff appearances (one career playoff win in 2018 with the. Dallas Cowboys).
Cooper had previously played in four playoff games, combining for 25 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the sharp dip in his stats with the Bills, Cooper says he is still satisfied.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m very satisfied. I’ve never been this far in the playoffs.”
“You know, winning is obviously way more important, and there’s many ways to win. We’re getting the job done, so you know, absolutely no complaints from me, and that’s all I truly want. I’ve had it every other way and haven’t reached the pinnacle of this sport of how I would have liked.”
Cooper was traded to the Bills to fill the absence of the No. 1 outside receiving option, and while he started off with an impressive touchdown during his Buffalo debut against the Tennessee Titans, the 30-year-old scored only one more time the rest of the regular season.
Since his arrival, Cooper has played in 10 games (including the postseason), totaling 22 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns. He was targeted 14 times against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 but hasn’t surpassed five targets in any other game with Buffalo.
However, for a receiver who’s topped 1,000 yards and 70 catches seven times in his 10-year NFL career, Cooper would likely be eager to rescue his season with a win on Sunday, earning his first Super Bowl appearance.
Chiefs vs. Bills Game Preview
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kanas City
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Streaming: CBS/Paramount+
In the Super Bowl era, the Bills and Chiefs are the fifth pair of teams to face each other in the playoffs four times within a five-season span. The Chiefs could become the first team to play in the Super Bowl while seeking a Super Bowl three-peat.
The Bills lead the league in turnover margin this season, including the playoffs, at +27. Buffalo has maintained an even or positive turnover margin in 21 consecutive games dating back to last season, tying the 1952-53 Rams for the longest streak since turnovers became an official stat in 1933.
On the other side, the Chiefs have gone eight straight games without a turnover, the longest streak since turnovers became an official stat in 1933.
Josh Allen is one of the league’s best quarterbacks against the blitz. Including the playoffs, he averages the second-highest EPA(Expected Points Added) per dropback (0.30) when blitzed, with 16 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions.
However, the Chiefs excel at blitzing effectively. Including the playoffs, Kansas City blitzes at the ninth-highest rate in the league (30%) and ranks 10th in pressure rate (44%) when sending extra rushers.
The Bills have been one of the league’s best defenses on early downs this season, ranking fifth in EPA per play (0.08) on first and second down. However, their performance drops significantly on third down, where they rank 31st in EPA per play (-0.26) and have allowed the fifth-highest third-down conversion rate (44%).
That’s an ominous sign against a Chiefs offense that thrives on third downs. Kansas City ranks fourth in third down conversion rate (47.9%) and fourth in EPA per play (0.22) on third down. Conversely, they only rank 15th in EPA per play on first and second down (-0.02).
In two playoff games against the Chiefs, Allen has posted QB+ scores of 86.6 (B) in 2021 and 74.8 (C) in 2023. Meanwhile, Mahomes has earned QB+ scores of 86.9 (B) in 2021 and 79.0 (C+) in 2023 in two postseason games against the Bills.
Many fans (and Houston Texans players) were frustrated with the officiating in Kansas City’s Divisional Round win. Since 2018, the Chiefs have received nine roughing-the-passer calls in the playoffs (including the Will Anderson Jr. call on Saturday), while the rest of the NFL combined has totaled 18 such calls, with no other team receiving more than two.
Kansas City has now made seven consecutive Conference Championship appearances — only the New England Patriots had more in a row (eight from 2011-18) in NFL history.
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Bills a 50.7% chance of winning this game while the Chiefs have 49.3% odds, showing just how close this game should be.
