Tag: Dustin Hopkins

Browns K Dustin Hopkins breaks Phil Dawson’s long-standing records in Cleveland

The Browns have found a gem in Dustin Hopkins, who has established himself in the record books with Cleveland’s leading-scorer Phil Dawson

After drilling a 55-yard dagger to close out a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, kicker Dustin Hopkins has established himself at the top of the single-season leaderboard with the franchise’s leading scorer Phil Dawson.

According to The OBR’s Brad Stainbrook, Hopkins has now topped Dawson in two different kicking categories with four games still to play in 2023. Hopkins has now made the most field goals in a single season in Browns’ franchise history and has drilled the most kicks of over 50 yards in a single season as well.

Topping Dawson’s 2008 numbers, Hopkins now sits with 31 made field goals on the season. He has hit eight of over 50 yards on the season, edging out Dawson’s 2011 and 2012 seasons where he hit seven in a single year.

The acquisition of Hopkins will go down as a season-altering move, shipping off a seventh round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to obtain his services.

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6 Browns currently in the top-10 at their positions in Pro Bowl voting

The Browns have a handful of players who may see themselves in the Pro Bowl!

The NFL has released the results of their first round of Pro Bowl voting, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was more than happy to pass that information along. And for the 7-5 Cleveland Browns, who find themselves within striking distance of a wildcard spot, six players are currently in the top-10 at their respective positions in voting. These names are headlined by defensive end Myles Garrett and offensive guard Joel Bitonio. However, kicker Dustin Hopkins is getting the respect amongst his peers for his ongoing heroics this year.

For the most part, the Pro Bowl is nothing more than a popularity contest among those with name recognition. The event has been stripped down to a weekend of carnival games headlined by a flag football game as well as the players have never taken the actual game on the field seriously for their own health. However, seeing the names of those who wear the brown and orange among the NFL’s best remains exciting.

Here are all six players who are currently within striking distance of making the Pro Bowl for their performances thus far in 2023.

3 bold predictions as Browns face Broncos on the road

Can the offense get on track in Denver?

Cleveland hits the road bringing a three-game win streak into Denver looking to improve to 8-3 with a win over the Broncos. The Browns will be without one of their best defenders with Denzel Ward being ruled out, but they could get safety Juan Thornhill back, which would be crucial after Rodney McLeod was placed on season-ending IR.

The Denver defense has been really opportunistic, forcing a total of 12 turnovers in their last three games helping them get to 5-5 on the season. They have, however, been awful stopping the run this year and if the Browns can establish the run early, it could go a long way in making Dorian Thompson-Robinson comfortable.

Jim Schwartz and his defense know that they have to continue to be great as the team figures out the passing attack. So far, they have been the best in the NFL and when they need to step up and make a play they seem to always get it done.

Here are this week’s bold predictions as Cleveland tries to nab win number eight overall.

5 things to watch: Can the Browns make it four in a row vs. Broncos?

Can Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Myles Garrett leave their prints on the game as the Browns look to take down the Broncos?

Sitting at 7-3 on the season, the Cleveland Browns have established themselves as competitors in the AFC despite playing over half of the season with a backup quarterback under center. This week, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Browns will take on the Denver Broncos, a team that has won four games in a row. This presents the Browns another opportunity for Myles Garrett and company to continue to establish themselves among the AFC’s elite.

The Browns currently sit less than a game back from the top of the AFC North leaderboard. They already have an over 80 percent chance to make the playoffs after rattling off three in a row and five of their last six games. With a win over another AFC opponent, the Browns can see those odds jump above 90 percent according to Sumer Sports. They have another opportunity to make a statement around the league.

As they look to move to 8-3 on the season with a win over the Broncos, here are five key points of emphasis to watch for the Browns.

Browns Studs and Duds: 5 most impactful people in win over Steelers

The Studs and Duds of the Cleveland Browns week 11 matchup against AFC North rival the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cleveland Browns managed a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday 13-10. The Browns were able to hold off the Steelers in a classic AFC North rock fight. Defensive end Myles Garrett stood out once again, and kicker Dustin Hopkins knocked home another game-winner.

The game was a battle of the wills as each team tried to bully the other into submission. The Browns started hot in the first half, scoring a touchdown on their second possession. The defense was robbed of multiple safeties on their first drive of the game. The Browns’ defense kept the Steelers from scoring in the first half. The offense was able to get into field goal range to end the first half.

The Steelers turned it around at halftime as they became the more aggressive team. The Steelers scored on their second play of the half as Jaylen Warren ran for a 76-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh relied on Warren and Najee to move the ball for the rest of the game. The Steelers tied the game with a field goal in the 4th quarter and held off the Browns’ offense for a couple of drives. Rookie quarterback, He led the Browns down the field into field goal range for Dustin Hopkins, who knocked the ball in like it was a routine play.

As the Cleveland Browns marched to 7-3 on the season, here are the studs and duds of the Steelers game.

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Browns Twitter reacts to another last second win against the Steelers

The Browns are 7-3 and boy does that feel good

The Cleveland Browns won another nail-biter game at the last second as Dustin Hopkins hit a game-winning field goal to beat Pittsburgh. It was a battle for the Browns and they had to lean on their elite defense. At the end of the day, the offense did just enough with a game-winning drive.

It wasn’t pretty any way you slice it for the offense but in the biggest moment, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson stepped up to get it done. Kevin Stefanski’s team fights their tails off from start to finish and if they can figure out the passing offense, it will be a fun series of games as the team fights for a playoff spot.

They continue to find ways to win and that is just not what past Cleveland Browns teams have done. This is truly not the same old Browns and they have a favorable stretch of games down the stretch.

Here is how Browns Twitter reacted to another big victory for Cleveland to get the seventh win of the year.

Redemption for Dustin Hopkins as Browns stun Ravens

Cleveland comes back to rock the Ravens

Football is a funny game. One minute a goat, the next a hero.

On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns overcame a double-digit deficit to jar the Baltimore Ravens, 33-31.

Where the hero and goal come in all lands on Dustin Hopkins.

After Cleveland got a pick-six from Greg Newsome to close within 31-30, Hopkins missed the PAT that would have tied the game.

He was given a chance at redemption when the Browns drove into Ravens’ territory as time wound down.

On came the kicker and he drilled a 40-yard field goal to win the game as time expired.

Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins honored in Pro Football Hall of Fame after setting record

Hopkins jersey is on display in Canton

Against the Indianapolis Colts, kicker Dustin Hopkins set an NFL record after making a 50-yard field goal or longer in five consecutive games for the Cleveland Browns. Because of this accomplishment, his jersey is currently on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame honoring his accomplishment.

The Browns made a big swing and missed drafting Cade York in the fourth round of last year’s draft. Thankfully Andrew Berry had no problem admitting this error by trading seventh round pick to get Hopkins from the Chargers.

This move was critiqued by many because Hopkins had lost the kicking competition and fans believed that wasn’t a good sign. Berry looks smart for the move now but it was always a solid move as Hopkins’s career make percentage was well over the league average.

This has been by far his most impressive start to the season and having a kicker you’re confident in can add a weapon to the offense.

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Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week again

And for the second straight week…

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins put together another flawless game that earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive time. Hopkins, 33, connected on all four of his field goals and all three of his extra-point attempts in the Browns’ 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7, including three from at least 50 yards. In doing so, he became the first kicker in NFL history to make a 50-yard field goal in five consecutive games in a season.

This is Hopkins’s fifth career POTW accolade after he won the award in Week 6 after he went 4-for-5 on field goals and converted his lone extra point. Teammate Myles Garrett won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his efforts as well.

For the season, Hopkins is 16-for-18 on field goal attempts and 8-for-8 on PATs. His 16 field goals are tied for fourth in the NFL alongside Blake Grupe of the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Dustin Hopkins sets NFL record for consecutive games with 50-yard field goal

Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins just put his name in the NFL history books.

Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins has set an NFL record for consecutive games with a field goal of at least 50 yards. He did so right before halftime against the Indianapolis Colts when he hit a 54-yard field goal to give the Browns a 27-21 lead heading into the locker room.

Hopkins has bounced back nicely from the summer. He lost the kicking competition for the Los Angeles Chargers to Cameron Dicker. The Browns then traded a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft to acquire Hopkins to take over for Cade York, who struggled during the preseason and was waived and would later sign with the Titans’ practice squad.

Hopkins improved to 14 of 16 on field goals following his 54-yard kick and is now a perfect 5 for 5 from at least 50 yards. Hopkins was only 50 percent from that range (15 of 30) entering the season. A change of scenery has certainly been good for Hopkins thus far in 2023.