Hopkins makes sensational catch
DeAndre Hopkins’ uncanny body control, leaping ability, hands and knack for making a difficult catch look routine were on full display Monday.
The Texans’ Pro Bowl receiver delivered a dramatic one-handed, 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Steelers that is being labeled as the catch of the year.
Hopkins utilized his right hand to tap the football away from the grasp of Steelers cornerback Joe Haden. He then used his left hand to secure the catch before tapping both feet inside the corner of the end zone for his NFL-high and franchise-record 13th touchdown reception of the season.
“I work on my craft a lot,” Hopkins said. “I try to perfect it. I’m a perfectionist. I’m just going out there and making plays whenever my number’s called. So, hopefully, I can give them more excitement, more catches like that in the future.”
Hopkins is serious about his self-critiques. He went so far as to say he shouldn’t have had to use his left hand and that it wasn’t one of his best touchdowns of his career.
“I’m mad I didn’t catch it the first time,” Hopkins said. “I was supposed to catch that one the first time with my right hand.”
Blue, Miller power strong rushing attack
Texans backup running back Alfred Blue pounded the Steelers’ defense for a season-high 108 rushing yards on 16 carries.
That included a 48-yard jaunt up the right sideline.
“We knew we had to try to establish the run and get it going and I think it started working out,” Blue said. “Lamar (Miller) started gashing them, and then when I got in, it was just a continuous thing. We stayed on it and just kept pounding it down their throat.”
Miller rushed for 55 yards on 10 carries as the Texans finished with 176 yards on 28 runs.
“We probably should have run it almost every down, probably should have, looking back on it,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “(Blue) did a good job. He ran hard.”
Frustration mounts with latest defeat
The toll of losing a fifth consecutive game is creating a predictable amount of frustration inside the Texans’ locker room.
“It’s horrible, it’s horrible,” Texans veteran linebacker Brian Cushing said. “It’s a terrible feeling, and it’s beyond embarrassing.”
Despite J.J.’s absence, it’s a Watt family affair
For the second consecutive year, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was only able to watch as his younger brothers earned victories and bragging rights over his team.
Steelers rookie linebacker T.J. Watt, Watt’s youngest brother, had two tackles and one pass defended, during a 34-6 win Monday.
J.J. Watt is on injured reserve with a broken leg. He was sidelined last year after undergoing back surgery as the San Diego Chargers and fullback Derek Watt defeated the Texans.
“More than anything, I think just for his health, I wish he was out there just to be a dominant force for them,” T.J. Watt said. “But I know he’ll come back bigger, faster and stronger.”
T.J. Watt got to spend Christmas in Houston with his older brother and their parents, Connie and John Watt.
Johnson OK; Moore, Todman leave early
Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson bruised his knee but avoided a major injury.
Meanwhile, Texans backup safety Corey Moore suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee injury that’s expected to end his season with one game left to play.
Running back and kick returner Jordan Todman left with a shoulder injury and didn’t return.