DeAndre Hopkins had a huge day versus San Francisco.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver caught 11 passes for 149 yards in the 26-16 loss to the 49ers, pulling in touchdown passes late in the second quarter and early in the third.Â
"I wish we could've got it to him more," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "San Francisco did a good job of doubling him a lot, especially after the second touchdown catch. They really traveled two guys with him quite a bit and it was difficult."
Hopkins caught a 7-yard strike from T.J. Yates with 0:54 remaining in the first half, and it was one of four recpeptions on the drive. After a miessed extra point try by Ka'imi Fairbairn, the Texans were down 10-9.
After the intermission, Yates and Hopkins went to work again, linking up three times on the opening possession of the third quarter. The third and final pass-and-catch of that drive was a 29-yard rainbow of a score to the left side of the end zone, and it gave the Texans a 16-13 lead.
Yates, who came on in relief of an injured Tom Savage, hit Hopkins eight times for 112 yards, and explained his willingness to target the fifth-year pro.
"Obviously it's a good idea to get him the ball as much as possible," Yates said. "That was the main focus to kind of get me comfortable and get me going. Just try to find him."
But Hopkins was disappointed in himself after the game, taking the blame for the loss becuase of a fumble he lost in the fourth quarter.
"It's on me," Hopkins said. "I let my team down on a big drive. I was trying to make a play. A guy came in late. I didn't see him until the last minute. He made a good play on the ball. He put his helmet right on it."
The 49ers took over with 5:40 left in regulation, and kicked a field goal four plays later to give them a 26-16 advantage.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney refuted the idea that the loss was Hopkins' fault.
"He's the reason why we were in the game," Clowney said. "He was catching everything. I don't think he should take the blame. That's a whole team thing. We can't give up 26 points and expect to win the game."
Hopkins' second touchdown of the day was his 11th in 2017, and that tied his franchise-best mark from 2015. It was also the 18th 100-yard game in his career and fifth of the season.Â
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