The Indianapolis Colts had a chance to complete a comeback during overtime of Sunday’s opener against the Houston Texans, and they put their faith in kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.
Through the first 50 minutes of the game, Blankenship was the entire offense for the Colts. His two field goals from 45 and 27 yards accounted for the only scores Indy put on the board. Then, things started getting dicey.
Right after the Colts tied the game in the fourth quarter with a Michael Pittman Jr. touchdown, Blankenship launched the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Texans starting field position at the 40-yard line.
Fortunately for Blankenship, the defense got a stop so that blunder didn’t come back to haunt them.
In overtime, the Texans won the toss and elected to receive, knowing a touchdown would win the game. Blankenship’s kick to begin overtime again landed out of bounds.
Twice in two consecutive kicks—inside a dome—Blankenship gave the Texans starting field position at the 40-yard line. And once again, he was bailed out by Kwity Paye’s two sacks on the opening overtime drive.
Then came the chance for redemption. The Colts could win the game with a field goal. It was a 42-yard attempt with two minutes left. Not necessarily a chip shot, but a kick that is expected to be made by a professional.
Clean snap. Clean hold. Blankenship sails the kick wide right.
Colts fans had seen enough, and they let their frustrations out on Twitter:
Rodrigo Blankenship is a good dude. I like him, from what I have seen, as a person. But, unfortunately, he’s not an NFL caliber kicker and the Colts need to look elsewhere.
— The Crossroads Pod (@CrossroadsPodIE) September 12, 2022
#PMSIDontWantToOverreactBUT Rodrigo Blankenship stinks. The guy can’t even hit from 50 yards in practice, from INDOORS 😭. Indy could probably find a local highschool kicker that’s better than him
— Ethan (@EthanWhite_5) September 12, 2022
GOOD MORNING TO EVERYTHING EXCEPT KYLER GRANSEN'S HANDS AND RODRIGO BLANKENSHIP'S KICKING LEG
— Graham Crackin' (@TempusMalleo) September 12, 2022
Frank Reich: The game is in your hands
Rodrigo Blankenship: pic.twitter.com/pw68jAjH3g
— Dre Luciano (@DreLuciano2) September 12, 2022
It’s Monday morning and I still don’t like Rodrigo Blankenship
— Shawn Rapp (@ShawnRappTV) September 12, 2022
Unless you’re Rodrigo Blankenship https://t.co/uqhHAdhRxd
— jonathan taylor stan account (@whattabxtch) September 12, 2022
It's time for the Colts to move on from Rodrigo Blankenship #ForTheShoe #Colts #NFL https://t.co/c6gkgGRcB3
— Inside the Horseshoe Podcast (@Horseshoe_Pod) September 12, 2022
Rodrigo Blankenship doing his best impression of Mike Vanderjagt in OT! Can’t go get Vinateri this time though… #PMSIDontWantToOverreactBUT
— Jason Starks (@CheckeredKarma) September 12, 2022
Rodrigo Blankenship pic.twitter.com/ZrVvfu6d8S
— Barstool Indy (@barstoolindy) September 11, 2022
I’ve had enough of Rodrigo Blankenship
— Collin Telesz (@CT_Colts) September 11, 2022
The notification saying #Colts have cut Rodrigo Blankenship about to make my week.
— Indy Source (@SourceIndiana) September 12, 2022
Rodrigo Blankenship has to go
— Ʊ Bring The Juice Ʊ (@BTJPod) September 11, 2022
1. Cut Rodrigo Blankenship
2. Defense stepped up in the end
3. JT is still elite
4. Hines fumbles a punt every other game
5. I believe in Matt Ryan— carter grzegorzewski (@grz_13) September 11, 2022
The dude is a ROOKIE and making a 58 yarder with ease while rodrigo Blankenship is struggling to make a 42 yarder 🤦♂️🤦♂️ https://t.co/NdQZPgVpjD
— Osei Bonsu (@oseib1824) September 12, 2022
Rodrigo Blankenship is a great person but needs cut immediately, respectfully.
— DK (@SupermanDK) September 11, 2022
More annoyed with:
1. Rodrigo Blankenship kicking the ball out of bounds twice?
2. Missing another potential game winning kick.My opinion, this tie is on Hot Rod. He single handily almost lost the game for the Indianapolis Colts.
— Dan Sonnenfeldt (@ETSUColtsFanDan) September 12, 2022
Colts Chris Ballard not bringing in an upgrade or even serious competition for Rodrigo Blankenship has to be one of the blunders of the offseason.
— Luke Schultheis (@LuckAtLuke) September 11, 2022
Rodrigo Blankenship is not a franchise kicker. The Colts have to be real with themselves.
— All_Sports_Indiana (@All_Sports_Indy) September 11, 2022
Alec Pierce is butterfinger, Braden Smith needs to be left in Houston, Blankenship needs to be sent away in a rocket. Pathetic game pathetic team https://t.co/zRiVL6fcuH
— Logan Beegle (@L_Beeg11) September 11, 2022
