As the Kansas City Chiefs’ prime-time tussle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers approached, Andy Reid prognosticated that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would see more opportunities in his second game with the team.
It was abundantly clear on the Chiefs’ opening drive that Hopkins would ensure his new head coach’s prediction came to realization.
Hopkins flashed his old brilliance and new significance to the Chiefs as he hauled in a pair of touchdown catches to help Kansas City to a thrilling 30-24 overtime victory over the Bucs on Monday night.
“I mean, he’s so good at winning one-on-one, and so to be able to have him down in the red zone, third-down situations, he does a good job of filling out and finding those windows kind of like does,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters after the game. “I think as he figures out the whole entire offense he’ll get even better, because there’s some times he’s going places and I’m like man, there’s a time and a place for that, but that’s what makes him great.”
Hopkins hauled in four catches for 30 yards on the opening drive, surpassing his two-catch, 29-yard debut in Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was simply getting settled, as he concluded the rainy night with eight catches for 86 yards and touchdowns of 1 and 5 yards, posting season highs across the board.
“A lot more comfortable, the coaches do a great job of getting me prepared,” Hopkins said of his 50-snap evening in comparison to his 22-snap debut. “It’s not just (wide receivers coach) Connor (Embree) but everybody, the whole offensive side, everybody’s always testing me, asking me questions, just seeing my knowledge of the offense as we go.”
Now with his fourth team, the 32-year-old D-Hop has been a quick study with the Chiefs’ offense, according to Reid. And he’s already developed into a bona fide WR1 option for Mahomes that’s been sorely missed with Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown each on injured reserve.
“First of all, he’s smart, and he’s got a lot of experience,” Reid said. “So, we put more in for him this week, and you know Connor does a nice job with those guys and getting them ready to go. But DeAndre is a veteran player that’s a smart guy, so that’s most of it right there.”
Mahomes and Chiefs fans were hardly the only benefactors of Hopkins becoming the first KC player this season with multiple TD catches.
Kelce racked up a career-high 14 receptions for 100 yards.
“With having DeAndre out there, I think it takes the pressure off him,” Mahomes said.
A former star for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins was acquired via trade with the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago. He joins the back-to-back Super Bowl champs with a résumé that boasts seven 1,000-yard seasons, five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro accolades.
Hopkins reestablishing his prime form isn’t likely, but at the same time, Monday’s performance kindles the imagination.
Mahomes became the 14th(!) quarterback to throw a touchdown to Hopkins in his career. It’s a list that includes Brandon Weeden, Tom Savage, Brock Osweiler and T.J. Yates, along with Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray.
Could Mahomes and Hopkins have something special brewing as the undefeated Chiefs continue their quest for a three-peat?
Nuk somehow, someway hauled in a Mahomes 35-yard pass in the second quarter despite triple coverage. It had a 12.3% completion probability, per Next Gen Stats. It was Mahomes’ most improbable completion since Week 16, 2018.
“You’ve seen DeAndre make those catches over his career,” Reid said. “You’ve got two great players throwing to each other, sometimes great things happen. So, it’s not the way we drew it up, but it was a good finish.”
Two Kareem Hunt runs later, Mahomes found Hopkins in the back of the end zone for his first TD as a Chief. Hopkins responded with a Remember the Titans touchdown celebration.
It was easy to remember what a prime Hopkins looked like on Monday, and what Mahomes can do when he has a top-class WR1 in his arsenal.
Said Mahomes: “To have a guy like that that can go up and make that catch in a crowd of defenders is a special type of player.”