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5 bold predictions for Redskins vs. Texans in NFL Week 11

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Defensive back D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a stop during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Defensive back D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a stop during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Dustin Hopkins #3 of the Washington Redskins kicks an extra point during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Dustin Hopkins #3 of the Washington Redskins kicks an extra point during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

5. Dustin Hopkins makes all the kicks that he attempts

This normally wouldn’t qualify as a bold prediction. After all, kickers are supposed to make all of their kicks, right? If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be in the league.

In normal circumstances, this is true. However, Hopkins is dealing with an injury that kept him out of practice early in the week. The Redskins kicker missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices before being a full-go on Friday. He indicated that he’s ready to play, but still, there are some concerns.

Any time a kicker is dealing with a lower-body injury — in this case, it’s a groin injury — it can cause slight mechanical problems. If there’s any sort of tweak or pull for Hopkins in the game, he may not be able to continue. So, that’s a major issue for the squad and one that will have to be watched closely.

If Hopkins does suit up, which does seem likely at this point, he will be relied on, as the Redskins offense has frequently stalled out in the red zone. He will need to be at his best and needs to be able to convert on all of the kicks. Even with the injury, there’s no reason to think that he shouldn’t be able to do that.

Provided that Hopkins doesn’t suffer any setbacks, it’s easy to trust him to make every kick. He has only missed two kicks all season long, so he should continue at a solid clip provided that he’s alright. And if the Redskins are willing to let him kick even after being slightly banged up, that’s enough of a vote of confidence for me to believe that he will convert on every kick he takes in this contest.

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