KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The box score for all of posterity will say that DeAndre Hopkins caught two passes for 29 yards in his debut with the Chiefs, who proceeded to beat the Raiders 27-20 on Sunday to run their winning streak to a franchise record-tying 13 in a row. His real impact was significantly more than those modest numbers.
After just two practices following his trade from the Titans, the three-time All-Pro wide receiver helped to convert an important third down early in the game. And even though he had a small number of plays at his disposal, Hopkins consistently won in man-to-man coverage, including a red zone play in which he was open — and Travis Kelce wound up with the TD reception. "I thought he did a great job," Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.
"I looked back at the tablet and there was a couple of times where in man coverage he was just really working and winning. Even the touchdown to Trav I threw, if you look back on his side, he's open, too, for a touchdown there. "You see that on field, it shows if they're going to play man coverage against him, he's going to get open," Mahomes added, "and I have to give him chances to go out there and make plays.
" Those chances are certain to increase the more comfortable Hopkins becomes in the Kansas City offense. He will have another week-plus to learn Andy Reid's extensive offensive system before stepping on the field again Monday night, when the Chiefs (7-0) play their first home game in nearly a month against.
