Notes: Dustin Hopkins not panicking but still searching for 'good swing' after missing 2 more field goals

PITTSBURGH — Dustin Hopkins remains calm and optimistic despite being mired in the worst slump of his 10-year career.That doesn't mean he isn't kicking himself for letting down the team.Steelers 27, Browns 14: Cleveland can't complete sweep, officially eliminated from playoff contention"I'm paid to make those kicks, so I want to," he said Sunday after missing two field goals in a 27-14 loss to the Steelers. "I want it more for my teammates and the coaching staff and ownership and this city than I want it for myself."I invest a lot of time and effort into what I do, and to see it not come to fruition is frustrating. It's been a frustrating year, but at the same time, my foundation's in Christ. It's unshakeable. I still feel really good mentally, which might not make sense to some people out there, but I feel good. I'm not panicked. I just need to find a good swing. And the swing has been tough to find this year."#Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins on "frustrating" season. pic.twitter.com/ESLGMaAiUP— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 8, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsHopkins missed wide left from 38 yards at the end of the first half, then missed wide right from 43 yards to open the second half. If he made both, the game would've been tied at 13.Jameis Winston tries to be more careful, still throws 2 INTs in loss to SteelersHe's missed six of his last nine field goals and is 16-for-25 (64 percent) for the season. His previous low for a season was 79.4 percent (27-for-34) in 2020 with Washington. That's the only time he's been below 81 percent."I haven't even looked it up, so no one tell me please. But I'm aware it's probably not great," he said.He added he didn't check the stats last year when he made 33 of 36 field goals, including all eight from 50 yards."It is an outlier. Chances are low that statistically this would happen," he said. "So in that sense it's frustrating, but you got to treat it like this is not who I am as a player and I'm going to do everything I can within my power to be the best version of myself I can be for this team, for this city and for myself."Hopkins signed a three-year, $15.9 million extension in the offseason that runs through 2027. Coach Kevin Stefanski said they're sticking with him."He's our kicker," Stefanski said. "We expect him to make those. He's a veteran. He's a pro. I expect him to work through it."Hopkins said he's not concerned with the Browns potentially replacing him or bringing in competition."I like working, I like being here, this is a great building, but it's not something I think about," he said.Hopkins, 34, used golf analogies throughout the interview. His swing is off and he's trying to find the right swing thought to fix it. He even aimed right after missing the first one left."I was like 'I'm going to err right' and I had late leg lock and erred too far," he said. "Usually a swing thought will work for five weeks and then maybe you have to find a new one. But this year it's been like you got to find one every week. So it's been tough going."#Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins said he overcompensated on second miss. pic.twitter.com/iHGGP9ENYS— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 8, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsQuarterback Jameis Winston and linebacker Jordan Hicks were among those with words of encouragement."These guys have been awesome," Hopkins said. "They've just been unwavering in how kind they've been to me, they've just been nothing short of building me up, supportive."ALMOST THEREMyles Garrett spun, split a double team and sacked Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter to give him 99.5 sacks for his career. With another half, he'll join Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt, Reggie White, DeMarcus Ware and Jared Allen as the only players to reach 100 in their first eight seasons."There's no consolation losing," Garrett said. "They had a good plan for me and they stuck to it."After the sack he put his index finger near his face mask and shook it. He heard the "Cleveland sucks" chants and said he'll hang onto them for motivation."We'll see 'em again next year," he said. "So end result is they have that same energy when we come to their house next year."Garrett added a fumble recovery, three quarterback hits and three tackles."I was kicking myself because I didn't check to see if there was room to run to take it myself," he said of the recovery of the fumble caused by fellow end Isaiah McGuire. "Based off the trajectory of the ball, thinking that it went inside, not towards our end zone, so just go ahead and get on it. Secure the possession. Once I look back at the play, I'll really be able to judge. But I'm thinking now I should have just taken my chances."In the two meetings this season, Garrett had four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Watt was held without a sack or turnover.INJURY REPORTCornerback Greg Newsome II left with an injured hamstring with three minutes remaining. He pulled up while trying to block on a punt return and is worried it's serious and will cause him to miss time."Just trying to find a way to get my block and just felt it pop," he said. "Just going to pray on it, but we'll see tomorrow. But I hope it's not as bad."He limped off the field and went into the locker room early with members of the medical staff.TALK IS CHEAPSome of the fire from the matchup was extinguished 90 minutes before kickoff.Steelers receiver George Pickens (hamstring) was a surprise inactive after being listed as questionable. Coach Mike Tomlin sounded optimistic before the game he would play, telling CBS the team would monitor Pickens to see if they needed to manage his repetitions.Pickens fought with Newsome after the final play Nov. 21 and stoked the flames Friday when asked about Newsome."I don't even know who that is," Pickens told reporters in Pittsburgh.Newsome was shocked Pickens didn't play."I was definitely surprised," he said. "Especially when you do a lot of back-and-forth talking and things like that."I'm a competitor, so I love when they got all the guys on every single team, so just disappointed."LINEUP CARDFree safety Juan Thornhill (calf) was active and started after being listed as questionable. He didn't play Monday night in the loss to the Broncos and was limited in practice Thursday and Friday. He was injured in practice Nov. 25.He continued to split time with Ronnie Hickman.** Rookie receiver Jamari Thrash (shoulder) was inactive. He left the loss to the Broncos and was listed as questionable.** Receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) and defensive tackle Sam Kamara (concussion) were ruled out Friday.** The other inactives were healthy scratches: No. 3 quarterback Bailey Zappe, running back D'Onta Foreman, cornerback Chigozie Anusiem and defensive end James Houston.EXTRA POINTSThe offense's season-long third-down struggles continued. The Browns converted two of 13 (15.4 percent) after entering last in the league at 29.2 percent.They did go 3-for-4 on fourth down.** Time of possession was split evenly at 30 minutes.** Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was fined $12,668 for roughing Winston. No penalty was called for the hit to the helmet, but Winston complained to the referee.** Hicks was the game captain.The post Notes: Dustin Hopkins not panicking but still searching for 'good swing' after missing 2 more field goals first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.