Brandin Cooks is currently tied for first in the NFL on third-down success this season. The eighth-year veteran wide receiver has caught 15 passes for 230 yards, which ranks third in the league in third-down yardage, and one touchdown through Week 7.
"I think it's huge," Cooks said. "As we all know around the league, receivers often say, 'Third down, money down.' At the end of the day, you just give yourself the chance to stay on the field. To be able to be looked at as that guy to be able to make those plays in those times is huge. I just want to continue to build on that."
The Houston Texans have struggled to convert on third down this season, especially in their road losses. Last week at Arizona, the Texans were just 2-of-13 on third down. In their Week 1 win against Jacksonville, though, the Texans were 12-of-21 on third down. Cooks had five catches for a season-high 132 receiving yards, including two on third down for 52-and 40-yard gains. On his two-yard touchdown catch in Week 2, Cooks scored on a third-down pass from Davis Mills. Head Coach David Culley stressed the importance of getting Cooks involved in the offense, especially on third down.
"Well, if we stay above the chains as well as we should do, when we've got third-and-manageable situations, he's obviously a guy that we go to, and it's been very effective there," Culley said. "We've just got to get in more of those types of situations to be able to execute and do those, and he's been a big part of that when we've been in those situations."
Cooks also ranks tied for second in total receptions in the AFC with 45 and ranks eighth in the conference in receiving yards with 502.
Cooks and the Texans will practice tomorrow at the Houston Methodist Training Center. They'll host the Los Angeles Rams on October 31 in Week 8. Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets.
