DeAndre Hopkins is probably the hardest man in the NFL to cover. The Indianapolis Colts didn’t even bother.
During Thursday Night Football in Week 12 at NRG Stadium, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson must have been shocked at how open Hopkins was during the second quarterback on a second-and-12. Hopkins ran a post route, and seemingly recognizing that the Colts had blown their coverage, the star receiver ran directly toward the end zone. That’s when Watson saw the streaking Hopkins, and finally targeted him.
Hopkins ultimately had to come back to the ball on an under-thrown ball from Watson, but the quarterback and receiver linked up for a 35-yard touchdown.
HOP. WIDE OPEN. TOUCHDOWN.@HoustonTexans re-take the lead! #WeAreTexans @DeAndreHopkins
📺: #INDvsHOU on @NFLNetwork | @NFLonFOX | @PrimeVideo
How to watch: https://t.co/I6INVckndX pic.twitter.com/uuAlrRIPwl— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2019
The Deshaun Watson to DeAndre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) 35 yard touchdown pass. #Texans pic.twitter.com/pKgCZUjj99
— patrick (@PatDStat) November 22, 2019
NFL fans were not kind to the Colts secondary. (Note to Colts: You might want to try covering Hopkins.)
The Colts really left Hopkins this open pic.twitter.com/36N0iPdKQI
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) November 22, 2019
Bold strategy letting @DeAndreHopkins get this open 😅 pic.twitter.com/cUnReRlRn8
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 22, 2019
There is a blown secondary coverage and then there is what the Colts’ just did in leaving DeAndre Hopkins alone for a touchdown.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 22, 2019
Total incompetence by the Colts secondary to let one of the best receivers in the game just run free like that #INDvsHOU
— C-Rob Sports Channel (@RobSportsNet) November 22, 2019
Everybody: We should double-team DeAndre Hopkins.
Colts: pic.twitter.com/4qsbTLfuxr
— Safest Betting Sites (@SBS_Authority) November 22, 2019
Colts game defense after leaving DeAndre Hopkins wide open pic.twitter.com/yTfc1jE9qE
— jabar (@wrightjabar) November 22, 2019
Colts defenders leaving Hopkins open pic.twitter.com/qtf6xScfwN
— Andrew Luck (@FauxAndyLuck) November 22, 2019
[vertical-gallery id=872019]