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It’s been a long time since the WFT scored on their first four possessions in an NFL regular-season game.
Even more, the Washington offense has been struggling so much in the red zone in recent games that there were even fans and commentators asking if Taylor Heinicke might be benched in favor of Kyle Allen this week. But Heinicke was impressive Sunday, as the men in Burgundy and Gold generated enough offense to score on their first four possessions in their week 10 game of this 2021 season.
Driving 32 yards in eight plays, new kicker Joey Slye was successful on his 46-yard field goal attempt.
Following a William Jackson III interception, Washington managed one first down, driving 18 yards for Slye’s second field goal, this one from 28 yards and a 6-0 lead. Incidentally, it was Washington’s first six-point lead of the 2021 season.
Heinicke concluded Washington’s third possession with a beautiful 20-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Carter closing a ten-play 46-yard drive and Washington fans were in disbelief as Washington now owned their first 13-point lead of the season.
With 58 seconds remaining in the first half, Slye split the uprights from 29 yards, as Washington had traveled 64 yards in 11 plays to score on their fourth consecutive offensive possession. Heinicke enjoyed a first half where he completed 13 of 16 passing attempts for 129 yards.
Sunday was the first time Washington had scored on their opening four possessions since September 25, 2016, in a 29-27 road win over the New York Giants.
Dustin Hopkins kicked field goals from 49, 33 and 45 yards, and quarterback Kirk Cousins then connected with wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a 44-yard touchdown pass with 3:40 remaining in the first half to narrow the Giants’ lead to 21-16.
Cousins would find receiver Jamison Crowder on a 55-yard touchdown and Hopkins would later add field goals from 25 and 37 yards in the Washington come-from-behind victory over their division rival.