ARIZONA CARDINALS
Former Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins makes PFF’s 2019 All-Clutch Team
May 31, 2020, 6:45 AM
In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
While 2019 wasn’t DeAndre Hopkins’ most productive season with the Houston Texans, he didn’t wilt under the pressure of tense situations.
Hopkins was one of the NFL’s more impactful players in clutch situations, and Pro Football Focus named him to its All-Clutch Team for last year.
The new member of the Arizona Cardinals caught 24 passes for 384 yards and no drops in the fourth quarter or overtime of games within eight points or less.
The only other receiver to make the All-Clutch Team was New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas, who clocked in with 22 catches on 24 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
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Hopkins’ production in that subset of “clutch” situations made up a huge chunk of his overall statistics last season. His reception total was 23% of his 104 catches all year long, while the 384 yards was a whopping 33% of his 1,165 yards.
It helped Hopkins that his Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watson, made PFF’s All-Clutch squad. He had the best PFF rating of any quarterback in close fourth quarters and overtimes. By raw box score, he completed 66 of 88 passes (75%) for 909 yards, eight touchdowns and an interception in the regular season and playoffs combined.
With Hopkins leaving Houston and now on the Cardinals in 2020, his new clutch teammate is left guard Justin Pugh, who made the 2019 All-Clutch Second Team.
