LANDOVER, Md. -- On the Hail Mary that wasn’t really a Hail Mary, Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke heaved the ball down the field. Two Minnesota Vikings defenders covered his target and a third was headed over. An interception appeared the likely outcome.
That is, until one defender collided with an official and the ball settled into Curtis Samuel's arms for a touchdown.
It was the epitome of the Heinicke good life: a big play that could have swung either way that ends up positive.
A week ago against the Indianapolis Colts, he bought time in the pocket and unloaded a deep ball to receiver Terry McLaurin, who was several yards behind the cornerback. McLaurin ran back for the ball, out-jumped the corner and corralled the ball inside the 1-yard line, setting up the game-winning score.
The Heinicke heroics are numerous, but the same mindset behind those throws can lead to others that miss or end up costing his team the ball and points. That, too, happened against Minnesota. Heinicke bypassed his primary read -- who was open -- and tried for the bigger play to tight end Logan Thomas down the field.
It wasn’t a bad read, but Heinicke sailed the throw that led to an interception that led to the game-tying touchdown that ultimately led to a crushing 20-17 loss.
“Taylor brought a little bit of a spark,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “It can be feast or famine at times with him, but he’s done the things needed to do to give ourselves an opportunity.”
Yes, Heinicke can be a sparkplug. But the team has told him that sometimes he tries too hard to create that spark, which leads to issues. When Washington (4-5) wins with him, fans embrace him and call for a contract extension (he’s a pending free agent after the season). When they lose, they call for his backup (in this case, rookie Sam Howell). It’s the life of Heinicke.
In Indy, he led a comeback win with 10 fourth-quarter points. Sunday, his interception and inaccuracy helped lead to a blown 10-point fourth-quarter lead.
“A roller coaster ride, man,” Rivera said when describing Heinicke’s 2-1 record this season. “You watch him do the things that he does, when he’s running the operation out there, he’s very confident and makes a lot of good decisions where to throw the ball. A couple times it comes out hot and high. But it’s been well enough to give us a chance to win in two of the last three games.”
Over the past two seasons, he’s thrown 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine wins, and 10 touchdowns to 13 interceptions in nine losses. He’s won seven of his last 11 starts and has a QBR of 61.2 in wins and 29.7 in losses.
Heinicke will make at least one more start -- against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night -- with Carson Wentz still on injured reserve after breaking his right ring finger in an Oct. 13 game at the Chicago Bears. It’s also uncertain how Rivera will handle who starts at quarterback. A lot of his decision could be based on what happens versus the Eagles.
It’s not as if Wentz, learning a new offense in his first year in Washington, was rolling either. Washington went 2-4 with him but the offense struggled, with Wentz tossing 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while also being sacked 23 times.
Heinicke’s mobility has helped limit his sack total to six in three games, and he’s been hit on just 30.6% of his throws, fifth highest over the past three games.
Washington’s coaches have been pleased with his decision-making. But the mistakes are related more to accuracy.
Heinicke shakes off failures, though, allowing him to lead late drives for wins like against the Colts.
“You can't look at what just happened. If you kind of soak in what just happened, you're gonna miss what's about to happen and you can compound it and make it worse," he said.
While his arm has never been the strongest, there are times coaches say his mindset can trip him up, desiring the big play. It’s what leads to highlight plays to McLaurin against Indy or Samuel on Sunday.
“He gave me a shot,” Samuel said. “I’m not going to lie, he wasn’t supposed to throw that but he made it work.”
And to the interception on a ball intended for Thomas with the Commanders leading the Vikings 17-10.
“But that's a little indicative of him,” Rivera said. “You’re going to get those kind of shots and when he makes them, everybody gets excited. We all do. And when he doesn't, unfortunately this was one of the things that got us.
“If he could have just brought it down, it’s a first down and we all go, “Wow!” and with a seven-point lead, the ball goes to midfield and you’re feeling pretty good about it.”
That’s Heinicke. He’s only started 19 games in his career (18 with Washington, one with Carolina), so there are areas he can improve upon with more experience. There are tougher areas, however, that are more difficult to improve; he can’t make himself bigger nor can he develop a rocket arm.
“He’s got a lot of grit and ability,” Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “Playing the quarterback position seems to come pretty naturally to him. He’s got a good feel for it.”
And he has a feel for who he is as a quarterback.
“I play my best when I do play it like it's my last playing game and that's what kind of got me to this point,” Heinicke said. “So, you know, why change that now? I think that's when I play my best and that's kind of who I am, so I'm going to keep doing that.”