GAME WITHIN A GAME
WR Hopkins vs. CB Gilmore matches two of the best at their positions
The most interesting matchup to watch in the Texans’ game against New England is receiver DeAndre Hopkins vs. cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Hopkins and Gilmore tuned up for Sunday night’s game with outstanding performances.
In the 20-17 victory over Indianapolis, Hopkins had touchdown catches of 35 and 30 yards.
In the Patriots’ 13-9 victory over Dallas, Gilmore shut out receiver Amari Cooper, who was targeted only two times because of the cornerback’s suffocating coverage.
Winning elevated New England’s record to 10-1 and strengthened the Patriots’ case for earning home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Texans are 7-4 and leading the AFC South by one game over Indianapolis and Tennessee.
After the Dallas game, Gilmore’s teammates on both sides of the ball were singing his praises.
Receiver Julian Edelman called him “a monster.”
Cornerback Devin McCourty explained the Patriots’ extraordinary defensive performance this season — nine touchdowns allowed, 29 takeaways, 20 interceptions, plus-19 in turnover differential and 37 sacks — by pointing out Gilmore’s role.
“It’s no secret, it starts with Steph,” McCourty said. “He goes out there, competes his butt off. Every time someone makes a catch on him, it’s going to be highly contested. They’re going to have to make a great play.”
Gilmore, the prototype lockdown corner, is playing better than any defensive back in the league and perhaps better than any defensive player. He hasn’t allowed a touchdown reception.
“Stephon has had a good year,” coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s been a very productive player. He’s tackled well (and) covered well. He’s gotten his hands on the ball when he’s had an opportunity.”
Gilmore has four interceptions, second to McCourty’s five. He has a team-high 13 passes defensed.
“He prepares so hard for his matchups every week and takes those as such a personal challenge,” Belichick said. “Steph’s as professional as they come. He
knows the opponents inside-out, his matchups, the overall scheme and how to best play based on what our call is and what the situation is and so forth. He does a great job of that.”
Gilmore is a leading candidate to be voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a rarity for a player at his position. In the last 25 years, only one cornerback has won the award — Charles Woodson in 2009.
As competitive as Hopkins and Gilmore are, they’ll be fired up about the challenge of competing against each other in front of a Sunday night national television audience.
Hopkins has 81 catches for 839 yards and six touchdowns. He has at least five catches in every game and 14 in a row dating back to last season. He’s tied for second in the NFL with 52 catches for first downs.
“Stephon’s great, a great guy and a great competitor and one of the best,” Hopkins said.
Asked why Gilmore is great, Hopkins smiled and said, “Being from South Carolina.”
Hopkins (Central) and Gilmore (Rock Hill) are South Carolina natives. Hopkins played at Clemson and Gilmore at the University of South Carolina.
Hopkins called it “an honor” to play against Gilmore but claimed the matchup and the game mean no more to him than any other this season.
Which nobody believes if they know anything about Hopkins’ competitiveness.
About the New England defense that’s surrendered only nine touchdowns, Hopkins said, “It’s a good defense, hats off to them.”
The Hopkins-Gilmore matchup should be similar to Hopkins going against former Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey twice a season before Ramsey was traded to the Rams.
It’ll be up to coach Bill O’Brien, who calls the plays, to put quarterback Deshaun Watson in position to get the ball to Hopkins as much as possible. If possible.
“Anytime Hop has matched up against the best, it’s always a great thing to see, right?” O’Brien said. “Whether it’s Gilmore or Ramsey or whoever it’s been throughout the years, it’s always a great matchup — very competitive guys playing at the highest level.”
Gilmore, 6-1, 202, is playing in his eighth season. He’s been an elite cornerback for years, but this season, he seems to be playing even better. The Patriots’ exceptional secondary is the strength of their outstanding defense.
“He usually covers the best receiver man-to-man,” O’Brien said. “He’s got good size, length (and) speed. (He’s) smart, instinctive, good ball skills, has really good movement skills for his size (and) does a good job of being patient. He never panics. He’s got a lot of confidence and obviously studies a lot of tape.”
Belichick’s oldest son, Steve, is the Patriots’ secondary/safeties coach. He’s heavily involved in the defense this season. He was asked about Gilmore’s performance.
“I’m really not surprised by Steph’s success because of how much hard work he puts in,” Steve Belichick said. “I’ve always been impressed with how diligent he is as an off-the-field worker. He practices hard and doesn’t take any days off. It’s always translated to Sundays for him.”
Gilmore’s success mirrors the success of New England’s defense this season. The Patriots allow only 10.6 points a game. In 11 games, they’ve allowed more than 14 points once, in a 37-20 loss at Baltimore for the only blemish on their record.
“They have a lot of guys playing at a high level, and they’ve played together for a while now, so they kind of know how they want to play different coverages and how (to) communicate,” O’Brien said about the secondary. “It’s going to be important for us to get lined up and make sure we’re running precise routes and doing what we need to do to get open. It’ll be a good battle.”