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Commanders offense revived, as Washington beats Colts 17-16

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Taylor Heinicke’s one-yard quarterback sneak with 22 seconds remaining gave the Commanders a 17-16 win over the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.

Leading 7-3 at the half, the Washington offense frankly became anemic and looked rather pathetic for all of the third quarter and well into the final quarter. It was so bad for the Commanders; the Colts outgained Washington 169-22 during the stretch, outscoring the Commanders 13-0 to take a 16-7 lead.

Suddenly, Washington drove 82 yards in 12 plays, using up 6:17 of the clock before Joey Slye’s 28-yard field goal with 4:15 remaining narrowed the deficit to 16-10.

During the drive, Washington had faced 4th & 6 from the Colts’ 48, when Heinicke kept the drive alive, connecting with Curtis Samuel for 18 yards to the Colts’ 30.

On the very next play, Heinicke found tight end Armani Rogers along the left sideline for 13 yards to the Colt 17.

When Daron Payne touched down a sliding Sam Ehlinger just short of a Colt first down, the Colts punted, forcing Washington to begin their final possession 89 yards away at the 11.

Again on a 4th & 1, Heinicke again found Samuel, this time for 12 yards up to the 32. Washington called timeout at 1:26 remaining.

Heinicke scrambled for 9 yards and a first down up to the 45. In addition, he got out of bounds, stopping the clock with 1:16 remaining. He made perhaps his best pass of the day on the next play to Cam Sims for 21 yards to the Colts’ 34 with the clock running down to 41 seconds when the ball was again snapped.

On that snap, Heinicke heaved a pass up that Terry McLaurin literally seized at the Colts’ 1, setting the stage for Heinicke’s winning touchdown on the sneak.

The win was the third consecutive for the Commanders evening their record at 4-4. Who would have thought it possible just three weeks ago?