Ravens burst onto the scene in 2025
The Baltimore Ravens opened the 2025 NFL season with a fire‑breathing offense that has already posted 81 points across two games. After a nail‑biting loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the team rebounded with a dominant 41‑17 victory over the Cleveland Browns, showcasing the lethal combination of Lamar Jackson's arm and his ground attack.
Running back Derrick Henry has been a cornerstone of that surge, racking up 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns so far. But the buzz around Baltimore isn’t just about ground game; veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins has quickly reminded the league why he still belongs among the elite.
Hopkins’s early impact and the "washed" controversy
In just 28 snaps across the opening two weeks, Hopkins has caught 99 yards and found the end zone twice. Those numbers translate into four one‑handed touchdowns—a stat that ties the NFL record for the most such scores since 2017.
Despite the production, a locker‑room scrap erupted when a teammate labeled the 33‑year‑old "washed." Henry, who played alongside Hopkins in Tennessee, laughed off the jab during a press briefing: "Nah, I think he's done it his whole career. Everybody knows that stigma. You get up in age, and all of a sudden, something has changed, but hopefully, they keep calling him washed because it's been working. We need it."
Lamar Jackson, interviewed by ESPN's Jamison Hensley, echoed the sentiment: "The guy has huge hands to catch the ball—one hand, two fingers—it doesn't really matter. He's showing otherwise." Jackson’s confidence signals that Baltimore sees Hopkins as a reliable downfield option, not a relic.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken laid out the long‑term plan: "We're just going to continue to get him up to speed. The more we can get him on the field, the better we're going to be moving forward." Monken expects Hopkins’s snap count to climb steadily, giving Jackson a seasoned target as the Ravens look to maintain their scoring rhythm.
- Current stats: 2 TDs, 99 receiving yards, 4 one‑handed TDs since 2017
- Snap count: 28 across two games
- Upcoming role: Increased target share per Monken’s roadmap
Beyond the numbers, Hopkins’s presence forces defenses to respect Baltimore’s vertical threat, opening up space for the running game and play‑action passes. As the Ravens navigate a grueling schedule, the veteran’s blend of experience and playmaking could prove the X‑factor that keeps them atop the AFC East.
