Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke didn’t have the best game at times during Sunday’s tie against the New York Giants. Heinicke missed some throws high, one of which would’ve been a touchdown to tight end Logan Thomas in the first half. The Commanders settled for a field goal.
At times, Heinicke looked excellent, making off-schedule plays, such as his touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Heinicke evaded the pass rush and sidearmed it to McLaurin, who did the rest.
But when the game was on the line, Heinicke’s heroics were on full display.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, the Commanders trailed 20-13 and faced a fourth-and-4. If Heinicke doesn’t complete a pass, then the game is over.
Heinicke is pressured on the play, rolls to his left, stops and finds wide receiver Curtis Samuel working with him toward the sideline, and drops a dime that Samuel catches for 20 yards and a first down.
FIRST DOWN
📺 #WASvsNYG FOX pic.twitter.com/uR56EO1g0j
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 4, 2022
Heinicke hit wide receiver Jahan Dotson for the game-tying score a few plays later.
After the game, defensive tackle and team captain Jonathan Allen was asked about the play and offered the following response:
Heinicke “biggest nuts I’ve ever seen,” Allen said.
Jon Allen said of Taylor Heinicke’s fourth down drive to tie the game: “biggest nuts I’ve ever seen.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 4, 2022
That’s a compliment, folks.
Look, fans can remain split on Heinicke, but he’s the quarterback for the remainder of the season barring injury, and you take the good with the bad. It’s not Heinicke’s fault the team has been unable to find a solution under center.
Unfortunately for Heinicke, he did help tie the game but couldn’t get over the hump, and the Commanders ended the game with their first tie since 2016.
They face the Giants again in two weeks.
