Historic performance by Amari Cooper: The wide receiver broke a Cleveland Browns record on Sunday.

265 yards – with just eleven pass catches: Wide receiver Amari Cooper set a new Cleveland Browns franchise record in the NFL with a magnificent performance.

“Everything just clicked – and honestly felt easy,” said the 29-year-old after the 36-22 win at the Houston Texans on Christmas Eve. Cooper crowned his fabulous day with two touchdowns and a successful two-point conversion.

Josh Gordon had previously held the Browns record with 261 yards (2013). Cooper surpassed the magical 200-yard mark for the fourth time in his career, previously for the Oakland Raiders and twice for the Dallas Cowboys. This makes the 1.85-metre pass catcher the only one besides Terrell Owens to achieve this with three different teams in NFL history.

Cooper also set the season record for most receiving yards in a game – his thanks went above all to quarterback Joe Flacco. “To be completely honest, I would attribute most of that to Joe. He has an unbelievable feel for the game. He has an incredible arm. I guess the best way to explain it is that we just fit well together,” Cooper said.

The veteran quarterback Flacco, who only came out of early retirement at the end of November, recorded 368 yards and three touchdown passes with two interceptions. With three straight wins now, the Browns’ run also bears the hallmark of the 2012 Super Bowl champion, who has only been a starter for four games.

The Browns have a record of 10-5 before the final two matchdays and are therefore fully on course for the play-offs. The Texans (8-7), on the other hand, must tremble in the AFC.