Editor’s note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this week’s Plays of the Week article is just a condensed version with one top Play of the Week. We will resume normal service next week. Prior Plays of the Week may be found here.
Week 6’s top Play of the Week is actually a mini-reel of highlights by one DeAndre Hopkins. Already enjoying a near-record pace with 726 yards so far this season (121 per game), Hopkins has been the one constant on a Houston Texans offense that has battled with inconsistency. Primarily due to a back-and-forth quarterback situation with both Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer assigned starting duties so far this season and neither particularly standing out, the Texans’ offense currently ranks just 21st in scoring.
On Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hopkins broke out the full bag of tricks, making one-handed grabs, circus catches, and making his way to the end zone en route to a 10-catch, 148-yard, 2-touchdown day. For his efforts, Hopkins was named the
The first sign of things to come that day came in the 2nd quarter, when Hoyer took a snap on his own 38-yard line. Seeing Hopkins lined up in single coverage against Davon House, Hoyer could even afford to basically telegraph the pass as he took a short drop back without taking his eyes off his favorite receiver. Whether by design or an underthrown pass, Hopkins was forced to come to a dead stop, spin to his inside, before reaching out with his left hand to make the one-handed grab at full stretch and off balance.
Not content with that, Hopkins put House to shame again in the fourth quarter from nearly the same position, as Hoyer and the Texans faced a 1st-and-10 from their own 43-yard line. This time, Hopkins was forced to fight through House grabbing his shoulder for the obvious flag before reaching out for the fingertip grab. As he fell out of bounds, Hopkins had the presence of mind to do not only pin the ball to his helmet and prevent it from moving as he went to ground, but he also managed to get the toe of his right foot down in bounds.
The coup de grace of the afternoon came later on in the same drive, as Hopkins capped it off with this juggling touchdown catch. On 3rd-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Hoyer slings a line drive pass with just enough touch to float over linebacker Telvin Smith and fit into a tight window between House and Josh Evans. Hopkins sneaks behind the unfortunate House but bobbles the ball off his fingertips as he falls on his back. Luckily for him and the Texans, the ball remains within his reach and he is able to gain full control of the ball on the third attempt to score the touchdown.
Fittingly, Hopkins was rewarded for his efforts with AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors: