Kingsbury: DeAndre Hopkins pulled off some ‘Jedi-type stuff’ in Week 1 win
There's a lot of ways you can describe Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' game, including playing like a Jedi.
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a 5-yard touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
TEMPE — There’s a lot of ways you can describe Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ game.
Outstanding, jaw-dropping and unbelievable are just a few that come to mind. Just ask the Tennessee Titans’ A.J. Brown.
After Hopkins’ performance in Arizona’s 38-13 win over the Tennessee Titans, one could argue he is even one with the Force at this point.
Hopkins led the way with six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. He has scored multiple touchdowns before, but it’s the manner in which he did it that stood out to head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Sunday.
Hopkins made an impressive toe-tapping grab for his first score of the day before putting safety Kevin Byard on skates for the second.
.@DeAndreHopkins fantasy owners are smiling 😁 #AZCardinals
📺: #AZvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/YyxBZiEYPe— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021
“Just instinct,” Kingsbury said Wednesday of Hopkins’ spin move. “He did that, which was unbelievable, it was a great throw by Kyler [Murray] kind of stopping him and back shouldering him so he could do that.
“And then on the first touchdown, he paused in that back of the end zone, had the guy run into and that accelerated him forward to create separation, just like some Jedi-type stuff. I’ve never seen anything like it. He looks back, stops and then the guy pushes him forward and it creates separation and he catches a touchdown. He just has a great feel for getting open.”
If Hopkins is a Jedi, does that make Week 2 opponent and former teammate Patrick Peterson a Sith?
"DeAndre Hopkins is a magician!"
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/XhIknI76Pp
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2021
Kingsbury sees “big step” in Kyler Murray’s game
On the other side of Hopkins’ touchdown passes was Murray, who finished the game with a career-high four scores through the air and another on the ground.
It was a big-time showing for the signal caller, whose command of Arizona’s offense was on display as he embarks on Year 3.
“Couple of those touchdown throws that he got us into different plays versus coverage that he liked, that was a big step,” Kingsbury said Wednesday.
“When he can see the field like that and take our matchups that we had favorably in those situations, I think that’s moving in the right direction.”
EXTRA POINTS
– Kingsbury on injured offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum:
“We don’t know yet [if he has a chance to play in Week 2]. It’ll be the next couple of days, we’ll get him out there and see how he feels.”
– Kingsbury on Murray being snubbed for the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1:
“No, [I’m not surprised]. I mean those things, you never know how it’s gonna go, but there are a bunch of guys around the league that could have deserved it.”
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