Two of the NFL’s most talented players will square off when DeAndre Hopkins and Marcus Peters take the field for their respective teams on Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins and Marcus Peters are two of the most talented players in the NFL. They’ll go head-to-head on Sunday when the Houston Texans travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
Hopkins has cemented himself as not only one of the best receivers in the league, but also one of the game’s overall top players. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro was insanely productive in 2017 and ’18, combining for 211 receptions, 2,950 yards and 24 touchdowns. Although his per-catch production has dropped off significantly (9.8 YPC in 2019), Hopkins is still terrific. The 27-year-old ranks second in the NFL in receptions and has played an integral role in Houston’s 6-3 start to the season.
On the other side of the ball, Peters has had a tumultuous career. After snagging 19 interceptions in three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, the former University of Washington standout was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. His play never returned to its former excellence, as Peters’ interception and tackle numbers both declined the following year and through six games with the Rams this season. Then, he was traded to the Ravens. That appeared to be a wake-up call.
After posting a 91.8 passer rating when targeted and surrendering three touchdowns in six games with L.A., Peters has flipped a switch. His passer rating allowed is a 36.5 and he’s cut his yards per target down from 9.6 to 5.7. Additionally, he has recorded a pair of pick-sixes. As the Ravens are flying high to the tune of a 7-2 record and the current No. 2 seed in the AFC, Peters has slid into the lineup and performed admirably.
Hopkins and Peters have faced each other numerous times in the past, all when Peters was with Kansas City. Although Peters didn’t guard Hopkins for all of his snaps, here’s how the Texans’ star receiver fared in each matchup:
- 2015 Week 1: 13 targets, 9 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
- 2015 Wild Card: 11 targets, 6 receptions, 69 yards, 0 TD
- 2016 Week 2: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
- 2017 Week 5: 12 targets, 4 receptions, 52 yards, 3 TD
As you can see, the numbers from these games have been a mixed bag. In some games, Hopkins shredded the Peters-led secondary and went for multiple touchdowns. In others, he was a bit less efficient with his targets. One thing is for sure, though: Hopkins will always get his fair share of opportunities to make plays.
Not only is Sunday’s game between Houston and Baltimore an important one for both of the aforementioned players, but it could also have major playoff implications. While Baltimore would have a first-round bye if the season ended today, Houston can leap over it with a victory. It would also pad a one-win lead over the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South title.
Looking ahead, the road doesn’t get too much easier for either team. Baltimore has contests with four teams currently above .500 left on the slate (Rams, 49ers, Bills, Steelers) and while Houston only has two (Colts, Patriots), it also has to face the surging Tennessee Titans twice before the season is over. As the AFC playoff race heats up and teams scratch and claw for seeding position, every win and loss carries a ton of weight.