Texans' Hopkins looking forward to clash with Chiefs' Peters

In a tantalizing Wild Card Weekend, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' battle against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters could be the premier showdown.

Hopkins was selected as a second-team All-Pro following a campaign in which he recorded 111 catches for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. Peters also excelled during his rookie season and was named to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with eight interceptions.

In spite of Peters' impressive credentials, Hopkins is embracing the challenge of being shadowed by the Chiefs' standout.

"I hope he follows me," Hopkins said of Peters to NFL Network's Tiffany Blackmon.

The Chiefs and Texans met in their season opener and Hopkins amassed nine receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Peters recorded seven tackles and an interception. Although Hopkins' stat line appears more impressive on first glance, Peters dismissed his accomplishments.

"We won," Peters said to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "Ain't nothing else to remember. We won the game."

Although both players are teeming with justifiable bravado, there was mutual respect on each end.

"He's a good young corner," Hopkins said. "He's in the Pro Bowl for a reason. The interception, he just happened to be at the right place at the wrong time. It was a miscommunication between my quarterback and I, but you have to give a kid credit for being at the right spot."

Peters offered similar praise to his counterpart on Saturday.

"He's had a (heck) of a year. That's big for him. He had Andre Johnson leave him this year and he had to step up and that's what he did. You've got to respect that," Peters said.

With a divisional playoff game on the line, Peters and Hopkins will need to be at their best in what could be the weekend's best individual matchup.