Washington Football Team placekicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals in Thursday’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots. The misses shined light on Hopkins and his concerning trend.
In 2020, Hopkins made a career-low 79.4% field goal attempts. His shortcomings were highlighted from distance as six of his seven misses were from 40 yards or longer. He made 13-of-17 from distance of 40-49 yards. He was 50/50 from 50 or beyond going 2-of-4.
Despite the struggles, he received a one-year deal to return to Washington this offseason. Yet, he appears to be starting off on the wrong foot already.
His first miss was from 40 yards in the first quarter, squandering Washington’s good field position. He pushed the kick wide left.
His second miss occurred in the third quarter with a chance to give Washington the lead. Trailing 9-7, Washington head coach Ron Rivera opted for a 50-yard field goal for Hopkins. However, he pushed that kick wide left as well.
Following Washington’s 22-13 loss, Rivera said he wasn’t concerned.
There is a new component to the kicking game. Longtime long snapper Nick Sundberg is gone and rookie Camaron Cheeseman is in. On the second miss, it appeared the snap was high. While holder/punter Tress Way was able to get the ball down, Hopkins seemed to hesistate before kicking the ball, per John Keim of ESPN.
Could that be the ‘new operations’ Rivera was alluding too?
Even if so, Hopkins has been in a concerning trend. Maybe it’s just time to bring in another kicker to challenge and get the best from Hopkins?
It’s preseason but an inconsistent kicking game could be deterimental. And there is reason to worry the struggles — whether collectively or of Hopkins’ fault — could carry over in the regular season.
Hopkins left six points off the board. Washington lost 22-13. However, they scored a late touchdown to make at 15-13 and missed out on tying the game with a failed two-point conversation. The sequence of the final moments of the game could have been played out differently with Hopkins’ loss points.
Much like last season, Hopkins and field goal unit has become a focal point to observe as the season moves forward.
