Derrick Henry Says Doubters Fuel DeAndre Hopkins as Ravens’ Low-Risk Bet Pays Off

DeAndre Hopkins could become the first Raven star to score touchdowns in three straight games if he scores against the Lions.

Derrick Henry Says Doubters Fuel DeAndre Hopkins as Ravens’ Low-Risk Bet Pays Off

Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins (via WBFF and ESPN)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

DeAndre Hopkins received a heap of criticism before entering his thirteenth year in the NFL. The phrase “washed” reverberated around social media whenever his name was mentioned in any conversation. Hopkins was on his third team in four years, and many thought, at 33, he was slowly moving out of his prime. However, his performances tell a different story.

In the first two games, Hopkins pulled off tough contested catches for 23- and 29-yard touchdowns. His current tally stands at 99 yards from 4 receptions and two scores for the Baltimore Ravens. Speaking with the media, star running back Derrick Henry urged trolls to keep making the 5x All-Pro receiver angry so that he can keep making highlight reel catches.

Hopefully, they keep calling him ‘washed’ because that s*** has been working… We need it.

When the Ravens play the Detroit Lions in week three, Hopkins stands the chance to become the first Ravens wideout to score touchdowns in three successive games.

DeAndre Hopkins revealed what motivates him to perform at the highest level every week

In the fourth quarter, on 2nd & 10, quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a deep pass inside the Browns’ end zone. Hopkins escaped his marker, Cameron Mitchell, for a diving touchdown. It extended the Ravens’ lead by thirty points. Hopkins finished with 2 catches for 64 yards and one score.

Derrick Henry Says Doubters Fuel DeAndre Hopkins as Ravens’ Low-Risk Bet Pays Off
DeAndre Hopkins played 20 games for the Tennessee Titans (Image via IMAGO)

The media surrounded the veteran in the Ravens locker room after the game to ask whether the outside noise motivates him to perform at his best every game. DeAndre Hopkins said:

It doesn’t motivate me at all. What motivates me is my mom being blind, my father dying when I was six months [old]. Real things in life… I love interacting with fans but I pay attention to more of the people who congratulated me, cheered me behind my back… the people who sit at home and speak negative things about me; it doesn’t motivate me at all.

With Isaiah Likely out for a while and Rashod Bateman going through a purple patch, Hopkins needs to step up to the plate as the main man alongside Zay Flowers, who has 218 yards on 14 receptions and one score. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken hinted that the Ravens are thinking about increasing Hopkins’ snap count against the Lions. He said in a recent press release:

With every day, his packages [on offense] are going to continue to grow.

Hopkins signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Ravens after making his first-ever Super Bowl appearance while wearing the red of the Chiefs. The Chiefs signed him midway through last year. He played 10 games, caught 41 passes for 437 yards, and scored 4 touchdowns.

The Houston Texans drafted Hopkins 27th overall in 2013. Since then, he has made 180 appearances, catching 988 passes for 13,064 overall yards and 85 touchdowns. The Ravens-Lions fixture has been played six times in the past, with the Ravens holding a 4-0 streak in Baltimore. According to Sports Illustrated, the Ravens are favorites to continue the streak on Sunday.

Also Read: