Washington’s decision to release longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins in favor of the inexperienced Chris Blewitt is already coming back to bite them.
Blewitt had never kicked in the NFL and hadn’t kicked in a game since he was in college in 2016 at the University of Pittsburgh. On Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, Blewitt’s first ever field goal attempt went awry.
His 42-yard attempt was blocked by Packers rookie TJ Slanton, keeping the score tied at 7-7 in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, his surname lends itself to puns of Chris Blewitt, well blew it.
Washington’s special teams came back and blocked a Mason Crosby field goal attempt on the ensuing possession. That allowed Washington’s offense to get back to the Packers’ 27-yard line — nearly the same spot as Blewitt’s blocked field goal.
However, Washington head coach Ron Rivera showed his level of trust in his new kicker, electing to go for a 4th-and-3. Taylor Heinicke’s pass to Terry McLaurin was broken up by Eric Stokes forcing the turnover on downs.
Surely this is not a good look already for Washington’s kicking change. There wasn’t much of a debate of releasing Hopkins. But the choice of Blewitt was puzzling. Just one half into the switch, seems like Washington’s kicking issues remain.
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