Ravens Insider: Ravens’ DeAndre Hopkins turns first target into highlight reel TD catch

[ExtremeRavens]

DeAndre Hopkins isn’t the focal point of the Ravens’ offense, but the veteran wide receiver turned back the clock for his first catch in Baltimore. 

With the Ravens up 27-19 late in the third quarter, Lamar Jackson finally looked Hopkins’ way. He threw the 13th-year wide receiver a deep ball. Hopkins’ left arm was being pinned down by Bills cornerback and Baltimore native Christian Benford, so he stuck his right hand up, snagged the ball and fell to the turf for a 29-yard touchdown reception. 

Jackson sprinted toward the end zone to celebrate his new teammate’s first catch as a Raven. 

NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth laughed at the play, repeating “Oh, wow!”

His broadcast partner, Mike Tirico, yelled, “The veteran’s still got it!”

VINTAGE DEANDRE HOPKINS.

BALvsBUF on NBC
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— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025

The play put Baltimore up 34-19 at the end of the third quarter. Jackson’s first pass in Hopkins’ direction resulted in a touchdown, but the quarterback had plenty of success targeting his other playmakers, too. He found Zay Flowers six times for 134 yards and a touchdown in the first three quarters. 

Perhaps the only negative of Jackson’s opening three quarters was an interaction with a Buffalo fan after the Hopkins touchdown. As the Ravens celebrated near the stands, a fan reached over the wall separating players and fans to touch a pair of Baltimore players, including Jackson. Baltimore’s quarterback then shoved the fan before returning to the sideline with his teammates.

This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin.  

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