It’s not how Taylor Heinicke started, its how he finished Sunday.
Early on Heinicke was late to pass, and threw behind receivers and it was pretty much a disaster.
He was 0-4 for zero yards in the first quarter and then early in the second quarter, throwing out in the right flat to J.D. McKissic, Heinicke’s pass was considerably behind the desired placement and thus intercepted by De’Vondre Campbell and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. Washington was down 14-3 and calls for Sam Howell began to be tweeted on Twitter.
Heinicke floats a pass outside on 3rd down and is picked off. Was coming, number of throws been very close to being intercepted. Luck runs out pic.twitter.com/msXKRlUICs
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 23, 2022
But Heinicke settled down, and became more assertive, getting the ball out quicker and with better placement, finding Antonio Gibson for a 9-yard touchdown bringing Washington to within 14-10.
Early in the third quarter Heinicke and Armani Rogers connected for 9 yards and a first down to the Green Bay 37. On 1st & 10 Heinicke dropped back, let the ball go on time, led Terry McLaurin well into the end zone for the touchdown and a 17-14 Commanders lead.
Good pocket, nice throw.! Great concentration catch from Terry! pic.twitter.com/rfl2vWScMK
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) October 23, 2022
In the final quarter clinging to a 23-21 lead, Washington desperately needed to move the ball and run the clock. On 2nd 6 from the Washington 29, Heinicke found McLaurin on a quick out to the left, and McLaurin bulldozed his way for 14 yards, and the first down.
Then on 3rd & 9 from the Washington 44, Heinicke again looked for and connected with McLaurin this time on the right sideline for 12 yards and another first down.
After the horrendous start, Heinicke finished 20-33 with 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Perhaps most importantly was those two late first downs to McLaurin when the pressure was on to preserve the victory.
Heinicke proved again Sunday it’s where you finish that counts much more than where you start.
