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KC Chiefs: DeAndre Hopkins Must be Shut Down to Win

By Zach Blochlinger

Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) looks on as he walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) looks on as he walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins of the Houston Texans scored twice on the KC Chiefs all the way back in Week 1. Can the Chiefs defense prevent this from happening in the playoffs?

The KC Chiefs are taking on the Houston Texans for the second time this season in the opening round of the playoffs Saturday. During the first meeting, DeAndre Hopkins repeatedly burned the Chiefs’ secondary, scoring two touchdowns on rookie Marcus Peters’ first game of his NFL career.

What a rough start. But as we all know, Peters has gone on to have a great season and has even been elected to the Pro Bowl. He also is at the top of the league in interceptions with eight. He has an extremely bright future lying ahead of him.

All that being said, Peters was burned over and over by Hopkins back in Week 1 making him look like the rookie he is. Hopkins has developed into one of the most dangerous wide outs in all of football this season with the departure of long-time Texan receiver Andre Johnson who signed with the Indianapolis Colts this off-season as a free agent.

Hopkins finished this season with 111 receptions, 1,521 receiving yards (over 95.0 yards per game), and 11 touchdowns, all good for career highs in his three-year NFL career thus far (stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference). Against the Chiefs back in Week 1, he went for nine receptions, 98 yards, two touchdowns, and a converted 2-point attempt as well.

The upside about that Week 1 matchup for Kansas City fans is that the Chiefs’ #1 corner Sean Smith missed the game due to a suspension that was handed out during the off-season for a suspected DUI. With Smith being available for the playoff game come Saturday, it should provide a HUGE boost for the Chiefs’ secondary. One that might be enough to help neutralize Hopkins as much as possible.

The tandem of Smith and Peters in the KC Chiefs’ defensive backfield is one of the best in football and provides them with a two-headed weapon on the defensive end. Peters is the quicker, play-making corner that can keep up with just about any receiver. Smith on the other hand, is a bigger, more physical corner that can create contact with receivers to pose a different problem for them. He also is a pretty good jump-ball challenger as well.

The KC Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game in over 21 years and their game Saturday is their chance to turn that around. Much like the KC Royals did this last MLB post-season.

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Houston Texans Saturday, January 9th at 3:35 p.m. CST on ABC. Be sure to tune in!

Next: Five Keys to Victory This Weekend for Kansas City

Let me know what you think! Will DeAndre Hopkins be able to score on the Chiefs again in the playoffs? Will he be able to burn both Marcus Peters and Sean Smith this time? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!

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