METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints posting 49 points and 555 yards Sunday? No big deal. We’ve seen that before.
But wide receiver Brandin Cooks winding up with zero targets in the onslaught? That might have been the biggest stunner to come out of New Orleans’ 49-21 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.
Especially inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where Cooks had been averaging 94 yards and a touchdown per game.
Cooks played 45 snaps but wound up without a single target for the first time all year. His previous low was five targets.
Obviously it wasn’t a problem for the Saints on Sunday, since they found many, many other ways to dice up the Rams’ defense (including a trick-play TD pass from receiver Willie Snead to running back Tim Hightower).
But Cooks’ fantasy owners were clearly distraught -- as evidenced by this video rant from ESPN’s Matthew Berry.
Cooks himself may have been expressing frustration in this tweet:
They tell you it's a business. Well I guess I have to turn into a businessman🏹 #shootyourarrows https://t.co/jTazkP0hS4
— Brandin Cooks (@brandincooks) November 28, 2016
It’s unclear exactly what Cooks meant, but he was frustrated earlier this season when he felt like he was being used too often as a clear-out receiver -- since he is confident he can be more than just a deep threat.
Saints coach Sean Payton didn’t get too detailed when asked how Cooks wound up with the goose egg Sunday.
“I think part of it’s the result of some of the coverages,” Payton said. “There were certainly calls with his name and number on it, and periodically once in a while that can happen.”
After reviewing the TV tape of the game, it wasn’t a case of Cooks being shadowed by the Rams’ No. 1 cornerback Trumaine Johnson the whole time.
However, it was clear that the Saints wanted to feature a heavy dose of quick passes and run plays to neutralize the impact of Los Angeles’ dominant pass rushers Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn.
Drew Brees only attempted four passes that traveled 15 yards or more through the air, completing two of them for 66 yards, according to ESPN Stats & Information. At halftime, the Saints’ two leading receivers were tight ends Josh Hill and Coby Fleener. And the Saints finished with 32 rushing attempts, compared to 39 passing drop-backs.
Chances are, Cooks will go right back to having another big game in the Superdome next Sunday against the Detroit Lions -- especially if the Saints make it a priority to keep feeding him to avoid any festering frustration.
But Sunday’s game was a reminder to Cooks’ fantasy owners -- and, really, to owners of any Saints skill-position player -- that quiet days are possible for anyone in this deep, versatile offense that can spread it around to so many different options.
Remember, Cooks has had quiet days before. He had just two catches for 13 yards in Week 2 at the New York Giants, three catches for 31 yards in Week 4 at the San Diego Chargers and three catches for 98 yards in Week 10 against the Denver Broncos -- with two of those catches coming on the final drive.