Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins was named NFC special teams player of the week Wednesday for his performance in Monday’s 23-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hopkins nailed the go-ahead 45-yarder with slightly more more than two minutes left. He finished the game 3-for-3, tacking on an extra field goal after his go-ahead kick to make it 23-17.
After struggling earlier in the season — raising questions about whether he’d be cut — Hopkins is now 5-for-5 over his last two games.
On Nov. 18, Washington coach Ron Rivera was asked about bringing in competition for Hopkins and he said the team was considering it. But ultimately, he stuck by his kicker and Hopkins has responded with his best stretch of the season.
“You have to trust where you are as an athlete and what’s gotten you there and just keep trusting who you are, what you’ve done and what you can be,” Hopkins said Monday.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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