Tag: QB Taylor Heinicke

When they last met: Commanders and Panthers

What happened the last time Washington and Carolina played?

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 27, Carolina 21 – Week 11, Nov. 21, 2021

In Cam Newton’s return to Carolina, Ron Rivera’s team, led by Taylor Heinicke, ruined Newton’s festive day. Washington came into Charlotte and defeated the Panthers 27-21.

Heinicke twice responded with Washington down by a touchdown to lead scoring drives and toss touchdown passes. Trailing 7-0, Heinicke connected with Cam Sims from six yards, tying the score with 13:29 in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-7 and driving, attempting to score before the half, Heinicke found Terry McLaurin with only nine seconds remaining for a 12-yard touchdown tying the game at halftime.

Washington drove and scored with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter, taking their first lead of the game at 21-14 when Heinicke passed to DeAndre Carter from four yards out.

Heinicke had his finest career day as an NFL quarterback, completing 16 of 22 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He recorded a 141.3 passer rating in the victory, the team’s second consecutive victory after upsetting the Tampa Bay Bucs the previous week at FedEx Field.

McLaurin led Washington with 103 receiving yards, while Antonio Gibson provided 95 rushing yards.

Newton completed 21 of 27 attempts for 189 yards and two touchdowns for a 120.5 passer rating. Christian McCaffrey led the Panthers with 59 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards.

Washington leads the all-time series, having won 10 of the 17 games played since the series began in 1995.

When they last met: Commanders and Browns

These teams last met just two years ago with Carson Wentz under center for Washington.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Cleveland 24, Washington 10 – Week 17, January 1, 2023

In what was perhaps Ron Rivera’s most revealing moment as Washington’s head coach, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Commanders 24-10 in Landover at FedEx Field.

Washington had been sitting in the sixth seed position with a 7-5 record when Rivera’s team suddenly went winless over the next four weeks. They tied the Giants, lost to the Giants, lost to the 49ers, and, on this day, lost to the Browns.

Rivera seemed to lose the team when he started Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke was the favorite of the team, of the coaches, of the fan base. Yet the truth is Heinicke struggled three consecutive games and Rivera really was attempting to stop the mudslide, beat the Browns at FedEx and make the playoffs.

But the Commanders came out lifeless for the game. It was inexplicable and inexcusable that the team played as they did that day.

Even more, following the disappointing and frustrating loss to the Browns, in the press conference, Grant Paulsen asked Rivera, “To clarify, you said you would talk about quarterback next week. If you guys are eliminated today by what happens at four o’clock, is Sam Howell in consideration?”

The Commanders had just fallen to 7-8-1 and, depending upon the final outcome of a 4:00 p.m. game, could be eliminated from the playoffs. So Paulsen asked if rookie Sam Howell might play in what would be a meaningless final regular season game.

Then the shocking moment occurred. Rivera paused, remained silent, moved his head to the side and asked Paulsen, “We can be eliminated?” Paulsen responded, “Yeah, if the Packers beat the Vikings, then you guys are eliminated.” Rivera, surprised, simply responded, “Ah.”

I certainly understand an NFL head coach not being aware of all the playoff scenarios with three games or perhaps even two games left to play. But when you only have one game remaining, how did he know they were in danger of being eliminated after the loss to the Browns? How had no assistant coach, scout, executive, or player not brought this up with Rivera all week?

It spoke volumes not only of Rivera’s lack of what was transpiring right in front of him but also that he had not led in managing the staff, to assign someone to inform him each of those last weeks of where the team stood in the playoff race.

It was also here that Rivera lost the confidence of many in the building and, now, the fan base in the DMV. 2023 turned out to be a lame-duck year for Rivera and the staff.

Washington had led 7-3 at the half when Deshaun Watson riddled the Commanders’ defense with touchdown passes in the second half of 46, 13, and 33 yards. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz struggled in the second half, and frankly, the Commanders crashed and burned when these two teams last met.