The Washington Commanders fell flat in the biggest game of the Ron Rivera era, losing 20-12 to the New York Giants on Sunday night. With a week to prepare, on the biggest stage in the NFL, Washington was thoroughly outplayed and out-coached.
The loss will be a killer for Washington’s playoff race too. The loss gives the tiebreaker to the Giants, effectively putting Washington two games behind New York. The Commanders’ playoff chances would’ve been at 91% with a win, and they sit at 34% right now with a loss.
They will be underdogs in two of the remaining three games, and essentially a pick ’em in the other game. This was an absolutely backbreaking loss for the Burgundy & Gold. They still sit in the seventh seed today but their climb into playing football in mid-January became much steeper.
In total, this serves as a reality check for where the Commanders are. They are an average, that was thoroughly outplayed by a less talented, sputtering New York Giants team at home. Frankly, this loss is inexcusable. Brian Daboll and the New York Giants deserve a lot of credit but this one will sting in the nation’s capital.
The season could very well be on the line in San Francisco next week.
Instant reactions to the Commanders’ gut-wrenching loss to the Giants
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 18: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Commanders looks on after failing to score during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
1. The Taylor Heinicke magic dust wore off
The roller coaster of Taylor Heinicke was a structure built with toothpicks, gum, and a touch of magic fairy dust. Unfortunately, the fairy dust wore off and Kayvon Thibodeaux ripped apart the toothpick and gum roller coaster.
Washington scored one offensive touchdown today. One. They lost a game by 8 points, where their defense allowed 13 total points. A large part of this is the passing game is too inept considering the trio of receivers it has in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel.
Both McLaurin and Dotson proved they could be an absolutely epic duo if they had above-average quarterbacking. Yet, they don’t. Heinicke lacks elite arm talent, and his decision-making is just a touch too slow sometimes, and it completely dooms him. See the sack he took on the first drive, the sack he took before fumbling, the handful of near interceptions, and the countless times he puts his receivers in harm’s way.
Heinicke plays really hard, is unfazed in the tight moments, and his teammates love him. That can only take a team so far though when his level of play varies on play-to-play, drive-to-drive. Carson Wentz wasn’t much better unfortunately or the switch would’ve already been made.
Heinicke limits this team severely on offense. And he will continue to whether Washington makes the playoffs or not. The Burgundy & Gold will be in the quarterback market again.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 18: Darnay Holmes #30 of the New York Giants breaks up a pass intended for Curtis Samuel #10 of the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)