Money kick. That’s what Brian Johnson’s first ever field goal for the Washington Football Team was. With less than a minute to play, the rookie kicker was trotted out for a shot at glory. And he came through in the clutch.
With Washington down by a point to the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson pounded his 48-yard kick through the uprights, to give Washington a 17-15 lead with just 42 seconds to go.
That would end up the final score, as a last-ditch Raiders drive came up short.
The Football Team wrapped up it’s fourth consecutive win, and at 6-6, they are in the thick of the NFC Wild Card playoff hunt.
Brian Johnson gives #WashingtonFootball a 17-15 lead with 37 seconds to go!
?: #WASvsLV on FOX
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/HwhgKsW6IR— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2021
Kicking Carousel
Johnson was signed on Tuesday, after Joey Slye was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He is Washington’s fourth kicker of the season, after what seems like a comedy of errors.
Dustin Hopkins started the season, but after missing a couple of extra points, was released despite seven solid years with the team.
Chris Blewitt was brought in to replace Hopkins, in what turned out to be a terrible leap of faith. Blewitt hadn’t kicked for five years, and it showed when three of his five kicks were blocked.
Slye replaced Blewitt, but was injured in his first game.
Hopefully Johnson can build off of a great start, and settle down the Washington kicking carousel.
Technically, Slye will miss at least two more games on injured reserve and could return. But if Johnson fares well over the next couple of games, it’s hard to see the team making yet another change so late in the season.
Johnson was previously with the New Orleans Saints. He kicked all eight of his field-goal attempts, but ironically was released after missing three of eight extra-point attempts.
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