While Taylor Heinicke starts at quarterback for the Commanders, the team is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
How about Heinicke’s drive late in the fourth quarter, leading to his 28-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson, tying the game at 20-20? On the drive, Heinicke completed six of his eight passing attempts for 90 yards and the tying touchdown.
Remember also the drive included a 4th & 4 from the Washington 27. Heinicke was forced out of the pocket and moving to his left, no less, saw and connected with Curtis Samuel for 20 yards to the Washington 47. If Heinicke does not move out of the pocket and find Samuel, the Giants gain possession of the ball deep in Washington territory up 20-13. Game over.
This tweet by Al Galdi brought some interesting interaction among Commanders fans.
Taylor Heinicke in the final 4 minutes of 4th quarters this season is 17-of-22 for 223 yards (10.1 yards/attempt), a TD & no INTs & has a rushing TD. Has 2 4th-quarter comebacks in 2022 & 5 since start of 2021. We’re all aware of his flaws. But he has been clutch. #Commanders
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) December 5, 2022
Heinicke has come through wonderfully in the fourth quarter for Washington in most cases. Yet, if we are going to be objective and honest, there was also the Vikings game where his fourth-quarter interception was paramount.
It is also just as true that in the last three Commanders games, the offense has not produced a single pass play gaining at least 30 yards.
One must go all the way back to the Monday Night game at the Eagles when Heinicke connected with Terry McLaurin for 41 yards to locate the last time he had a pass completion for at least 30 yards.
When looking at the NFL passer ratings, 33 quarterbacks qualify for having enough passes thus far this season. Heinicke is 25th of the 33 at 86.3. Heinicke’s QBR is 26th of 33 at 42.9.
His net yards gained per pass attempt is up to 21st of 33 at 5.94. This means you don’t have to have a big arm to succeed in this very important metric. If you can get the ball on target to your skilled receivers in space, they can gain plenty of yards after the catch.
Yet, despite the passing offense often being less than productive, as the numbers reveal, the Commanders are 5-1-1 in games Heinicke has started. They are winning with the formula of running the ball often, winning the time of possession and leaning on your defense to keep you in each game.
It’s not the best formula, but it is showing to be good enough… at least for now.