Titans receiver, DeAndre Hopkins (D.Hop), looked like his old self again as he put up a settler game against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. This game also put him in a position to have one of his best statistical seasons yet.
Game Recap
The Tennessee Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium in a close game, with the score being 28-23. Although DeAndre Hopkins only had four receptions in the game, it is what he did after catching the ball where he shined. In those four receptions, he put up 128 yards, three touchdowns, and averaged 33.2 yards for each catch.
It was not only Hopkins who played well however, other teammates put on a show. For the Titans running back, Derrick Henry got 22 carries and ran for 101 yards. His Quarterback rookie, Will Levis, threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns with a QB rating of 60.9. With this win, the Tennessee Titans are now 3-4 and are 3-1 at home.
New Jersey, Same D.Hop
Since he was drafted into the NFL in 2013, DeAndre Hopkins has been nothing short of an elite wide receiver. He’s a five-time pro-bowler and was selected as an All-Pro wide receiver from 2015-to-2020. As a Houston Texan and Arizona Cardinal, he has 11,802 career yards and counting, due to his multiple 1,000 plus yard seasons. But since starting on August 6, the Star wide receiver had been plagued with injury after injury, so it was no surprise that had regressed from his usual athleticism.
Still, no one expected DeAndre Hopkins to go out and put on a performance like he had today, but it’s a clear sign to never count a player out. Until the Falcons game, the All-Pro wide receiver hasn’t scored a touchdown until Sunday. Not only did he score his first touchdown of the season, but scored two more as the icing on the cake. This is also the second time this season he’s put up 100 plus yards, the first game he did it was against the Colts when he put up 140 yards.
“They Wrote Me Off”
” One, two, three. They wrote me off,” said DeAndre Hopkins to his critics during a post-game interview. “I feel like Geno Smith.” In his quote, DeAndre refers to the starting Seahawks quarterback, Geno Smith. He also had something to say to his critics when he beat the team’s former quarterback, Russell Wilson, in the 2022 season opener.
There was frequent talk about DeAndre being traded last week because of his season so far. When asked about the rumor he said it’s out of his control. He continued by saying his faith in god is the reason he is where he is now. ” I don’t care too much about what goes on outside of things I can’t control. I trust god. I’ve trusted god my whole life and for me to be in the NFL playing football, I’m thankful.”
The Win wasn’t a One-man Show
But after his performance against the Falcons, these rumors have slowed down. Through seven games, Hopkins has 31 catches for 504 yards and three touchdowns. He is now on pace for his best season since his last Pro Bowl season in 2020 with the Cardinals.
He thanked Will Levis for trusting him to make the plays they did against Atlanta. “I wanted him to trust me, even if the DBs are on me and look like I’m covered.” DeAndre wanted Levis to be comfortable throwing the ball to him, as a way to build his confidence up as a incoming quarterback. He gave a also shout-out to the offensive line for their help too. “You’ve got to thank them as well for blocking for us.”
NBC Sports: DeAndre Hopkins: They wrote me off; I feel like Geno Smith; by Charean Williams
ESPN: Rookie Will Levis throws 4 TDs in his NFL debut as Titans beat Falcons 28-23; By AP
Draft Shark: Deandre Hopkins Injury History; By Draft Shark Injury Guide
Essentially Sports: ” I feel like Geno” – DeAndre Hopkins Shouts out Seahawks QB After a Dominant 128-Yard Performance; By Ishika
Featured Image Courtesy of Karen‘s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
