DeAndre Hopkins is coming to the AFC South, after recently agreeing to a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. However, this is a return to the AFC South for the five-time Pro Bowler. Hopkins was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2013 and spent seven seasons in the division before going to the Arizona Cardinals for three years.
To the surprise of many, Hopkins decided to join the Titans. Some are already saying that Hopkins will regret this decision, highlighting how Tennessee has been a wide receiver graveyard for great wideouts. Others are wondering how much of a difference Hopkins can make for Tennessee, and if other AFC South teams like the Indianapolis Colts should be worried.
Although Hopkins is now with a different team, and the Colts are a different franchise from the last time they faced Hopkins, there could be some value in looking at the history between the two, because some players just have certain relationships with opposing teams. For example, TY Hilton owns the Houston Texans.
With that being said, can Hopkins’ past performances against Indianapolis tell us anything about what’s to come in the future?
DeAndre Hopkins stats against the Colts
Being in the same division for seven years, Hopkins has had his fair share of matchups against Indy. In his career, he’s played 13 games against the Colts, winning five and losing eight. In those 13 games, Hopkins had 77 receptions for 1,053 yards and six touchdowns. That’s 81 yards a game.
A closer look shows that Hopkins didn’t necessarily dominate Indianapolis every time. All the games came during his time with Houston, so as typically the case with division matchups, there were times when Hopkins got off against Indy, and other times when the Colts contained him. Of the 13 games, Hopkins had five with 90 or more yards, three of those over 100. On the contrary, Hopkins was held under 60 yards five times.
Now, health permitting, Hopkins will face the Colts at least four more times over the next two seasons. It’ll be interesting to see what the established veteran receiver can do against Indy’s young, talented secondary.