Ron Rivera 'not considering making a change' at kicker originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Dustin Hopkins missed a first-half field goal on Sunday, and by the time the game ended, those three points separated Washington from a win and a loss.
The Giants beat Washington 20-19, and Hopkins' 49-yard field goal could have provided the winning margin of victory.
After the game, Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera made clear he's got faith in Hopkins going forward.
"I’m not considering making a change," Rivera said Monday when asked about the kicker.
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Some fans might wonder if there is increased competition coming for Hopkins as Washington has now brought in two separate kickers to the practice squad this season. That seems overly simplistic, however, as the football team has brought in two players that can punt and kick for the practice squad as a means to protect from a positive COVID-19 test to either Hopkins or Tress Way. Plus, with expanded practice squads, Washington gets two backups in one player by bringing in players like Brett Maher and Kaare Vedvik.
As far as Hopkins, the miss in the Giants game obviously gets magnified when Washington loses by one point.
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In his six-year career in Washington, Hopkins has averaged an 84 percent conversion rate on field goals and 95 percent on extra points.
So far this season, Hopkins has made seven of 10 field goal attempts and nine of 10 extra points.
His 70 percent field goal conversion ranks near the bottom of the NFL, tied with two other kickers for next to last in the league. His 90 percent conversion rate on extra points ranks higher than across the league, but is still in the bottom third. There are 12 kickers in the NFL with a perfect 100 percent conversion rate on extra points too.
Field goal percentage is tricky to track as kicks come from all different distances.
For Hopkins his struggles have come from deep, as he's only three of six from beyond 40 yards this season.
Regardless, Rivera is sticking with Hopkins.
