UPDATE: We’re headed to OT and DeAndre Hopkins has been making some big plays. He has caught four passes for 70 yards to help Houston climb back into this game.
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was shut out in the first half of the team’s Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills, and when he finally got the ball in his hands, it did not end well. DeShaun Watson found Hopkins for a short pass, and the receiver turned and tried to make something out of not much. He picked up four yards only to have Tre’Davious White punch the ball out of his hands. Buffalo recovered and scored a field goal to take a 16-0 lead.
The “6th best” WR that Hopkins has played against this year has forced a fumble. #GoBills pic.twitter.com/B72Tddjbfl
— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) January 4, 2020
It’s fitting that White got the punch out. Earlier in the week, Hopkins told Houston media that White had “not earned [his] respect yet.” He acknowledged White was a good defender, but questioned what he’s done given his system.
“He’s a good defender,” Hopkins said. “Ignorance is bliss. He doesn’t know that he plays in a zone defense, I think, to the extent not like Revis and those guys played you back in the day on that island when you see a safety all the way on the hash on the other side. I give respect to the guys who can come out there on the island and look me in the face and not play outside because they have safety help.”
Regardless of the system, White is on track to have the last laugh in this game.