2024-11-05 15:10:02
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 resume 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.”
