The big win that got away from the Commanders

We explain how the Commanders blew a very winnable game against the Vikings.

Leading the Vikings 17-10, the Commanders were facing a 2nd &11 on their own 30-yard line.

With 8:10 remaining, Taylor Heinicke caught the snap standing on his own 25. Looking to his left, he began dropping straight back in his drop. When his right foot landed on the 20, he turned his attention to the middle of the field. He targeted TE Logan Thomas at the 42, but his pass sailed high over the 6-foot-6 and outstretched Thomas into the arms of Vikings free safety Harrison Smith at the 47.

Smith made the interception, broke toward the left sideline, returning it 35 yards to the Washington 12. Two plays later Kirk Cousins perfectly lofted a pass over Kam Curl into the left hand of Dalvin Cook for the tying touchdown as the clock read 7:46 remaining in the game.

I really dislike being simplistic, but leading 17-10, the defense playing well, the home crowd really into the game, Heinicke’s interception literally opened the gate for the Vikings.

The Vikings defense fired up, then held the Commanders to a mere 3 plays and -5 yards, sacking Heinicke on 3rd & 6 from the 29 for a 9-yard loss back on the Commanders 20.

FedEx Field had been rocking throughout the third and into the final quarter. Now the Vikings were taking possession at their own 44.

This final Vikings possession was like waiting all morning into the afternoon for a funeral to begin. The Commanders were now unable to stop the Vikings from producing three first downs. Then a penalty on defensive tackle John Ridgeway gifted a fourth first down to the Vikings.

All that remained was Greg Joseph to convert an easy 28-yard game-winning field goal with 12 seconds remaining, putting the Commanders and their fans out of their misery of watching a 17-7 4th quarter lead evaporate.

The Commanders could smell a fourth consecutive win and a 5-4 winning record being theirs in only a few minutes. Yet, they couldn’t finish off the Vikings when the Vikings were on the ropes and in trouble.

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