Dallas Cowboys: 3 issues Mike McCarthy must fix in 2020

1. Amari Cooper is a ghost outside of AT&T Stadium

Let’s recall wide receiver Amari Cooper’s numbers for 2019. The standout receiver caught 79 balls, earned 1189 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He played in all 16 games despite injuries. Quarterback Dak Prescott targeted him 119 times.

In eight away games, Cooper accumulated just 27 catches. Three of his eight touchdown receptions were earned when he was away from AT&T Stadium. No. 19 failed to reach the century mark in yardage in all eight away contests.

Of his 1,189 receiving yards, 320 yards came from away games. During the New York Jets game, a week six loss, he caught one ball for three yards. He did leave the game due to injury.

When it mattered most at the end of the season, Cooper faded in two key away games. Against the New England Patriots in week 12, he was targeted two times against an elite defense. He did not catch a ball that day and the Cowboys lost 13-9.

In the winner take all against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys also lost in week 16, to the tune of 17-9. Cooper was targeted 12 times but caught only four balls for 24 yards.

Now, it’s clear Cooper is a great talent and his services will require a hefty contract. It’ll be interesting how Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott and Cooper will look under McCarthy’s west coast offense approach.

If the Dallas Cowboys are destined to leap in 2020, they need Cooper to be a standout at AT&T Stadium and during away games.