Amari Cooper vs Marcus Peters: The new rivalry

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) catches a pass while defended by San Diego Chargers defensive back Jimmy Wilson (27) during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper

Like Peters and most star rookies, Cooper came out of the gate of his first NFL season blazing. With 33 receptions for 519 yards and three TDs, Cooper became the fifth rookie receiver with at least 500 receiving in his first six games. That puts him in the company of Anquan Boldin (592 yards for the 2003 Arizona Cardinals) and Randy Moss (527 for the 1998 Minnesota Vikings).

Cooper is also the first rookie to have 100-yards receiving in three of his first six games since Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka in 1961. And he has abused some of the better corners in the NFL along the way for the 850 yards he has on 58 catches. Darrelle Revis, Jason Verrette and Joe Hayden were among the top corners he had his way with.

But he was D’d up by Darius Slay of the Detroit Lions as Cooper disappeared on his Raiders for a few games. There were reports that he was slowed up by a thigh injury he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers but if you play, it counts. The good news for Raiders fans is he broke out of that funk last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Cooper had seven catches for 115 yards in a close win against the Tennessee Titans out in Tennessee. So Cooper now appears to be on the up as rookies will have their ups and downs as 1st-year players. Peters had been on the up of late too so Cooper has to be at his best against him on Sunday.

Next: Surrounding Factors