Amari Cooper wins his third NFL Rookie of the Week

Nov 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs after a reception during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper had his worst game as a pro in Week 11 vs the Detroit Lions. He was covered by Lions corner Darius Slay with safeties Glover Quin and Isa Abul Quddus taking turns doubling him. And that reduced Cooper to one catch on the day for a measly four yards.

In Week 12, Cooper bounced back form his worst performance of his rookie career in a big way. Cooper ended up with seven catches for 115 yards and two big catches for 30 and 40 yards. His spectacular performance was good enough help his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-21.

It was also good enough to win Cooper Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 12. He beat Max Garcia of the Denver Broncos, Quinton Dunbar of the Washington Redskins, Thomas Rawls of the Seattle Seahawks, and Javorious “Buck” Allen of the Baltimore Ravens for the award

For Cooper, it was his fourth nomination and his third time winning it this year. The other two times he won the award were for spectacular performances he had in Week 7 and Week 9. He is now tied with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who also won it three times.

Perhaps the Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award will come down to Cooper and Winston. There are no promises though because despite not winning a Rookie of the Week award, Buffalo Bills corner Ronald Darby has played very well. But either way, the Raiders have a spectacular rookie to show just how well they’ve drafted lately.