INTERVIEW

DeAndre Hopkins discusses how close the Texans are to winning a championship

Cody Stoots
Jan 31, 2020, 2:36 pm
Composite photo by Jack Brame

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins and his mother Sabrina Greenlee caught up with The Main Event's Cody Stoots and Jake Asman from Radio Row in Miami. They talked about Sabrina's upcoming film "Sabrina" and Hopkins shared his thoughts on losing to the Chiefs, how close the Texans are to winning a championship, and more.

You can read the transcript below where Hopkins talks about the Texans' season or you can listen to the entire interview if you want to hear more about the upcoming movie.

On the Chiefs loss and playing through the injury (Rib/finger)

It's football. I knew, obviously going out there playing, being injured, it didn't matter to me. We had a lot to fight for. I'm pretty sure a lot of my other teammates were banged up also. It was a tough game. Really don't want to re-live it too much obviously (laughs). But Kansas City is a great team you can't take anything away from those guys. They beat us out fair and square. Obviously a great comeback by Patrick Mahomes and those guys but uh, you know, I'm pulling for them. Sammy Watkins is a fellow teammate of mine at Clemson University. Also like family to me. So I'm happy for them.

On the big lead and did they think they were going to the AFC title game?

Oh, man. No question. No question. Up 24 to nothing there's no question in your head we're going to the AFC title game. But obviously us beating ourselves, making mistakes, turnover, just little critical mistakes. But I think everyone went out there and played hard. I don't think anybody has any regrets.

On Deshaun Watson continuing to grow

That's what I love about Deshaun. He never feels like he arrived. Little things, even if he's faking a hand-off. Little stuff like that, that you wouldn't think a quarterback is hard on himself. Deshaun, he's his biggest critic. I don't expect him to feel like 'Oh, you know, we had a good year, let me not work on it' that's not Deshaun at all. He's a hard worker. I know he's going to come out next year and demand the most from us, his teammates, and also himself.

On if Bill O'Brien is overloaded with the new GM title

You know, it's not easy man. I'm pretty sure he has a lot on his plate, but he handles it pretty well. Being able to go out there and still coach a team at a competitive level the way we did and compete for almost a title man, it's not easy, he's human, but he does a great job handling it very well.

Could Bill actually be better at the GM job because he is the coach?

I'm not sure. I can't speak on that because I've never, honestly, I don't know how that works upstairs. What those guys go through, I'm pretty sure other GM's are pretty knowledgeable about football. But, I think it's definitely probably an advantage that he's coached before and you know actually been out there on the football field and knows exactly what's going on X's and O's wise. So I'm pretty sure that helps.

Are the Texans close to getting to an AFC Title game and ultimately a Super Bowl?

Oh, there's no question that we're close. Obviously, us being up 24 to nothing on a team playing for a Super Bowl, I don't think that's a question. But I think that everyone has to perform at their peak ability in those games. You know, beating ourselves will not help. Turnovers, little things like that. It's a players league. Players out there playing. So I think for us to get over that hump everyone has to take accountability for their own job.

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Steve Smith dishes on the emergence of Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell

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Here are the Texans' biggest challenges, opportunities against Steelers

The Texans host the Steelers at NRG this Sunday. Composite Getty Image.

What: Texans vs. Steelers

When: 10/1 12pm CST kickoff

Where: Houston, TX NRG Stadium

TV/Radio: KHOU-TV, KILT-Radio

Betting Lines: Steelers -2.5 (-120), O/U 42 (-110) *As of this writing

The Watt Brother Bowl takes place on Sunday. I'm calling it that because the Texans are honoring their all-time great J.J. while they're playing his younger brother and current hell raising edge rusher for the Steelers T.J. The Steelers have won four of the last five matchups vs. the Texans by an average score of 28-17. The biggest difference is that the Steelers have a second year starter at quarterback in Kenny Pickett, and the Texans have a rookie in C.J. Stroud. When you look at the two quarterbacks, both organizations have full faith in each guy. Both teams have tried to build a defense to help their young signal callers. Both are still trying to surround their franchise guys with weapons.

When the Steelers have the ball: Here's a game where Will Anderson Jr can make headway as a proven EDGE. Stacking consistent performances together and helping your team win games by making winning plays. It helps that Pickett has tiny hands. This was a knock on him during draft season last year. Hand size for a quarterback impacts grip. That can not only impact accuracy, but it could make it easier to strip the ball from him.

While he doesn't have the weapons to torch this defense, Pickett does hand the ball off to Najee Harris who's more than capable. Averaging only 67 yards rushing as a team can't be taken lightly. Denzel Perryman is expected to miss the game Sunday, so hopefully that won't help jumpstart the Steelers' run game. The Texans defense will have to key in on the run, given that they average giving up 117 a game on the ground. Those aforementioned weapons may not be scary, but the injuries to the defensive backs has hurt. Tavierre Thomas is expected to miss the game recovering from hand surgery. Jimmie Ward coming back last week showed what happens when they have a top safety back there, especially when the pass rush is turning up. Hopefully, the Texans can capitalize again this week, with safety Jalen Pitre expected to return to action.

When the Texans have the ball: Good luck stopping Tank Dell and Stroud! These guys have already established themselves as a formidable duo three games into their careers. A great way to get that connection going is to pound the rock. The Steelers are giving up over 150 yards on the ground per game so far this season. That's also a good way to keep T.J. at bay while J.J. watches. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Jones both expected to miss the game, here are the offensive line starters: Austin Deculus, Kendrick Green, Jarrett Patterson, Shaq Mason, and George Fant.

Making the younger Watt brother slow down a bit instead of going balls to the wall after Stroud because a run could be coming will help the pass game tremendously. Stroud will have to continue to make quick decisions, but even quicker this game. I wouldn't be surprised to see his first pick of his career here, given the pressure he's most likely to be under. Especially when your offensive line starters were mostly all backups to begin this season.

Outcome: I failed to place a money line bet on the Texans last week because the game started and the live bet wasn't as profitable. I wanted to take a chance on them given their recent record against the Jags. Looking at their last five vs. the Steelers, one would say why make that bet this week? It's because I believe in Stroud more than I believe in Pickett. While T.J. Watt is a different kind of monster, Will Anderson Jr is on his way to becoming something special. Texans win/cover, and hit the over, but barely: Texans 24, Steelers 20.

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