The Washington Commanders fell to 4-5 on the season after a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.
In what was a really winnable videogame, Washington took control early in the 3rd quarterback when quarterback Taylor Heinicke discovered large receiver Curtis Samuel for a 49-yard goal to provide the Commanders a 10-7 lead. It wasn’t one of Heinicke’s muchbetter choices, throwing into triple protection, however insomeway Samuel came away with the football and landed in the end zone.
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The Commanders defense was exceptional, striking Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins over and over. Washington took total control at the start of the 4th quarter when Heinicke ended a drive with a goal pass to large receiver Dax Milne.
Unfortunately for Washington, that’s where the enjoyable ended. A Taylor Heinicke interception and a couple of vital charges ended any opportunity of extending their three-game winning streak.
Let’s analyze our 5 takeaways from a frustrating loss.
Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Commanders. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
How did the Commanders just come away with 126 internet death lawns versus the No. 28 passing defense in the NFL? Two factors: Quarterback Taylor Heinicke and offensive planner Scott Turner [more on him lateron.
Heinicke did some excellent things Sunday. There was one play where he stood in the face of pressure and provided a bullet in the middle of the field to Terry McLaurin for a huge veryfirst down. There was the scramble on 3rd down, along the sideline where he saw Curtis Samuel for another huge veryfirst down.
Then there was the choice on the huge goal. Yes, the outcome was excellent, however those are the types of things that are constantly going to come back and haunt you. You can’t toss into triple protection — ever. On Heinicke’s interception, he had a reasonably open Logan Thomas going throughout the middle. A excellent toss is a Washington veryfirst down around midfield. However, insomeway, Heinicke missedouton the 6-foot-6 Thomas by a mile and the pass went into the waiting arms of Minnesota security Harrison Smith, who returned it 35 lawns. The Vikings connected it up 2 plays lateron.
Heinicke gets at least one more start. He’s going to requirement to be truly excellent versus an outstanding Philadelphia defense on Monday night to keep head coach Ron Rivera from going back to Carson Wentz when he’s eligible to return. The Eagles are a much harder defense than the Vikings, so Heinicke will have his work cut our for him. Ask Wentz.
Washington Commanders offensive organizer Scott Turner on the field priorto the videogame versus the Tennessee Titans at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
It’s everybody’s preferred leisureactivity to blame the offensive planner. Sometimes it’s deserving; other times, it’s not. In Washington’s case, reasons haveactually been made for Scott Turner over and over. He doesn’t have excellent workers. He doesn’t have a quarterback. His offensive line is bad.
Enough is enough.
Turner’s offense neverever appears to get into a rhythm. His running back use doesn’t constantly make sense. His play calls on 3rd and brief and 4th and brief are head-scratchers. Past Washington coaches did a excellent task computing receivers open; that’s not one of Turner’s strengths.
We hear novice quarterback Sam Howell isn’t prepared. Considering he was a fifth-round choice, that’s possible. But Howell has plenty of Power 5 experience in college. If Heinicke hasahardtime onceagain, it makes sense turning things over to the novice.
However, do you trust Turner to establish a novice passer? Not stating he can’t however that is a practical concern.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera on the field versus the Minnesota Vikings priorto the videogame at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Heinicke had simply rushed, selecting up 9 backyards on 2nd-and-10, setting up the Commanders with a 3rd-and-1. Officials ruled he was simply short. Instead of simply attempting to choice up the backyard on the next play, Rivera difficulties the area. The r