For Chiefs star DeAndre Hopkins, coming to Kansas City before the trade deadline after languishing with the Titans for the past year-and-a-half has proven a blessing. And for a wide receiver corps that was devastated by injuries throughout the year, Hopkins has been a key factor in keeping the offense afloat. Coach Andy Reid has long been complimentary of Hopkins. “(Hopkins has) always been a great player, and this offense gives him opportunities – his style of player and the quarterback trusts him,” Reid said in Novemberconference. “And then, what he is, is what you saw on Sunday with the one catch on the crossing route – where [he’s] dirty tough, lands on the football, was able to get up, shows no sign of weakness on that, and wants to get back in and go. And that’s been him. Tough catch, contested ball, lands on it hard, and gets back in and plays and wants more.”

Now, it’s a good bet that Reid will look to reward Hopkins, who has slowed a bit after a fast start and had just two catches for seven yards in the Chiefs’ Week 17 win on Christmas Day.

Hopkins has three contract incentives on the line in Week 18, with the potential to pay him $250,000 each. As the contract website Spotrac pointed out: “WR DeAndre Hopkins needs 9 catches for a $250,000 bonus. He also needs 140 receiving yards for another $250,000 bonus. With 5 touchdowns, he’s already secured a $250,000 incentive, but can add another $250,000 if he finds the end zone one more time.

That would be a pretty impressive stat line, especially with Carson Wentz at quarterback and a tough Broncos defense on the other side. But if Hopkins can come away with nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown, he will be $750,000 richer. One touchdown, for $250,000, seems reasonable, at least. The Chiefs have secured the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC. The game in Denver will kick off at 4:25 p.m. EST.