Los Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins spent much of Monday night’s game in pain after straining his hamstring.
NFL fans spent much of the night in pain watching a game that featured two struggling offenses, tons of penalties and questionable playcalling.
Both of these teams on #MNF. pic.twitter.com/0ov3K2o6gy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
In the end, Hopkins soldiered on, kicking four field goals, including the game-winning, 39-yard kick in overtime, to send the Chargers to a 19-16 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Dustin Hopkins — on an injured hamstring — for the Chargers win over the Broncos!
The Chargers never led until the walk-off field goal with 2:38 left in OT. #MNF 🏈 pic.twitter.com/5XBwb054hH
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
Hopkins hurt his hamstring kicking an extra point early in the second quarter.
“That first extra point I felt a pop,” Hopkins said.
But he kept playing, making field goals of 37, 31 and 35 yards before booting the game winner in OT.
Dustin Hopkins warrior pic.twitter.com/1wG2W9IzWp
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 18, 2022
It’s somehow appropriate that a kicker with a bad leg won a bad game. Fans on Twitter spent much of the night second-guessing calls. Not unusual for any game, but this game was definitely not pretty. There were 19 penalties, with the Broncos committing 10 for 151 yards, the most penalty yardage by a team since TruMediaSports started tracking the stat in 2000.
The Denver Broncos are up to 151 penalty yards on Monday Night Football vs. the Chargers.
That's the most since it was tracked by @TruMediaSports since 2000. pic.twitter.com/8cxo1huPgL
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 18, 2022
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passed for just 238 yards on 57 attempts, just 4.2 yards per attempt. Broncos QB Russell Wilson looked better, but neither offense got on track.
These are two of the worst coaches in the NFL. Period. It really is that bad. Which is why you take the under and the points. Chargers OC literally handcuffs his QB every single week. Broncos offense is an abomination. Crimes against modern footballing being committed every week
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 18, 2022
The amount of HS level basic stuff the Broncos offense struggles with blows my mind
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 18, 2022
Broncos are incredibly hard to watch. Especially for a team that so many expected to be instant playoff contenders.
Not sure how many more games they have in prime time but may be time to flex them out. Another brutal 60+ minutes.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 18, 2022
The ugliness continued into overtime. Neither team seemed comfortable doing more than running the ball. The Chargers were set up for the game-winning kick when the Broncos botched a punt return.
Good grief, Broncos. #MNF pic.twitter.com/nUHHQAh46X
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 18, 2022
NFL fans appreciated Hopkins’ grit, but definitely had fun poking fun at the whole lame kicker angle.
Dustin Hopkins when it's fourth down: pic.twitter.com/t9NVMp2oI3
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) October 18, 2022
Dustin Hopkins on the sideline watching the Chargers approach long FG territory pic.twitter.com/top1k2jxAR
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 18, 2022
Dustin Hopkins MRI scan pic.twitter.com/zWtaFvxnqb
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) October 18, 2022
Dustin Hopkins hitting that game-winner with his extremely injured leg pic.twitter.com/GNyLyidyBy
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 18, 2022
