There’s an old saying that you don’t get any extra points for how you win a game. That’s likely the best way to look at Washington’s narrow 19-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The game was in the balance all the way until the very end, when Daron Payne tipped a Marcus Mariota pass, just yards from the goal line. Kendall Fuller subsequently intercepted that pass with just 58 seconds to go, and Washington walked away with their sixth win in the last seven games.
Even after the interception, the game wasn’t decided. Washington could not get a first down and were forced to punt the ball away with 32 seconds left. Fortunately, punter Tress Way was nudged during his punt, and the Commanders were handed yet another olive branch.
And managed another win.
Gritty
Washington ran the ball 37 times for 176 yards.
Atlanta ran the ball 29 times for 167 yards.
This was a game that was played in the trenches. Wet conditions definitely contributed to that strategy.
Brian Robinson Jr. led the way for the Commanders with his biggest day as an NFL pro. He managed 105 yards on 18 carries for a healthy average of 5.8 yards per attempt. He also scored a touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke, where he trucked cornerback Darren Hall on his way to the end zone.
The young back that was shot in the leg to start the season, continues to improve and establish himself in his rookie season.
“I felt like the offensive line did a great job getting movement up front, moving on to the second level and just allowing me to get up on linebackers and finish,” Robinson said.
Heinicke Pushes On
As for Heinicke, he didn’t exactly set the field on fire but he continues to win football games with the Commanders.
He has now won 6 of his 7 starts this year, and has catapulted Washington into playoff contention.
The quarterback finished the day 14 of 23 for 138 yards. He threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Bates, to go along with the TD to Robinson. He also had one interception.
“I just threw it right to the guy,” Heinicke said. “It was an awful decision.”
For some reason, there is still unrest within the fan ranks that are clamoring for the appearance of Sam Howell. That’s Fool’s Gold. Howell has never played a down of football against NFL starters.
Heinicke may not be named a First Team All pro, but to a man, every teammate seems to point to his fire as a launching point for the team and their resurgence.
Making a change at quarterback now, would be an awful decision.
Wild Card Spot
No NFL team has done better than Washington’s 6-1 record in the last seven weeks. They may still sit in fourth place in the NFC East, but if the playoffs were decided this week, all four NFC East teams would be enjoying post season play!
That’s never happened before, but it IS a distinct possibility.
Washington holds down the seventh and final spot. They have a big opportunity to improve upon that with two games in a row against the New York Giants – the team that lies ahead of them. Their fate is truly in their own hands.
Washington opened the week as 1.5 point favorites over the Giants.
Sean Taylor Memoriam
Sunday marked exactly fifteen years since the tragic loss of Washington’s Sean Taylor. The team unveiled a new memorial for the star safety on the concourse – a glass-enclosed mannequin.
Reviews from the fans were mixed. They ranged from “disgraceful” to “it pleased Sean’s family – that’s all that counts.”
The team retired his jersey last season, and team President Jason Wright vowed to do better this year, than the organization did with the retirement.
Did they?