Numbers don’t lie.
Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins have an undeniable chemistry that can now be measured, according to a new metric called completion probability. Based on the findings, NFL.com rated the Watson-Hopkins connection as one of the league's “Most Extraordinary” QB-WR tandems of 2018.
Next Gen Stats calculated the likelihood of a completed pass based on variables such as: distance thrown, receiver separation, pressure on the passer, quarterback speed (how fast he is moving) as well as his time to throw. NFL.com’s Graham Barfield wrote:
Considering DeAndre Hopkins has dropped just one of his 234 targets from Deshaun Watson over the last two years, it should be no surprise this duo dominates catch probability metrics. Hopkins' overall catch rate (71 percent) was a ridiculous 15 points higher than his career average (56 percent) in 2018, leading to career-highs in both receptions (7.3) and yards (98.3) per game.
The two-time First-Team All-Pro wide receiver has always had an impressively wide catch. Barfield wrote that having consistency at quarterback has only bolstered Hopkins’ ability to come away with a catch even with multiple defenders draped on him.
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Hopkins saw press coverage on 41.4 percent of his routes last season, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Despite rarely seeing easier draws against interior defenders, Hopkins routinely dominates at the catch point and he finally has a quarterback worthy of his talent. It's a perfect marriage._
The Next Gen stats calculated the Watson-Hopkins catch rate at 11.2 percent above expectation. Only three other QB-WR tandems ranked higher: Philip Rivers and Mike Williams (12.4 percent), Drew Brees and Michael Thomas (16.1 percent) and Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett (20.1 percent).
Check out the best shots of QB Deshaun Watson from the 2018 season.
An image from the Oct. 25, 2018 regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans won 42-23.
An image from the Dec. 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans lost 30-32.
An image from the Sept. 30, 2018 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 37-34 in overtime.
fAn image from the Sept. 23, 2018 regular season home game against the New York Giants. The Texans lost 22-27.
An image from the Sept. 9, 2018 regular season away game against the New England Patriots. The Texans lost 20-27.
An image from the Aug. 19, 2018 preseason away game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans won 16-13.
An image from the Aug. 9, 2018 preseason away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans won 17-10.
An image from the Aug. 25, 2018 Texans preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Texans lost 20-21.
An image from the Aug. 19, 2018 preseason away game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans won 16-13.
An image from the Aug. 19, 2018 preseason away game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans won 16-13.
An image from the Dec. 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 20-3.
An image from the Jan. 5, 2019 Wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 7-21.
An image from the Nov. 26, 2018 home game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans won 34-17.
An image from the Jan. 5, 2019 Wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 7-21.
An image from the Nov. 26, 2018 home game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans won 34-17.
An image from the Oct. 14, 2018 regular season home game against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans won 20-13.
An image from the Oct. 7, 2018 Week 5 home game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans won 19-16.
An image from the Dec. 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans lost 30-32.
An image from the Dec. 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans lost 30-32.
An image from the Dec. 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans lost 30-32.
An image from the Jan. 5, 2019 Wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 7-21.
An image from the Oct. 25, 2018 regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans won 42-23.
An image from the Sept. 30, 2018 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 37-34 in overtime.
An image from the Sept. 16, 2018 regular season away game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 17-20.
An image from the Oct. 25, 2018 regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans won 42-23.
An image from the Nov. 26, 2018 home game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans won 34-17.
An image from the Sept. 30, 2018 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 37-34 in overtime.
An image from the Oct. 25, 2018 regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans won 42-23.
An image from the Sept. 16, 2018 regular season away game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 17-20.
An image from the Sept. 30, 2018 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 37-34 in overtime.
An image from the Oct. 21, 2018 regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 20-7.
An image from the Sept. 16, 2018 regular season away game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 17-20.
