After narrowly escaping with a nail-biting victory in Chicago last Thursday; the Commanders headed back home to face off against the Green Bay Packers. As history would have it, Washington would play well against the Packers at home. Considering that in the last decade Washington has won all three of their games when hosting the Packers.
Although this week they would have a new person under center. During last week’s game starting quarterback, Carson Wentz broke the ring finger on his throwing hand. Subsequently, placing him on the sidelines for the next four weeks after undergoing surgery.
Therefore, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was given the reins of the offense. In addition, Heinicke would make sure to take full advantage of his opportunity. Bringing new life and energy to the Commanders’ offense, and ultimately the entire team.
While it was not the prettiest of games for Heinicke and the Commanders’ offense; this was the best that the offense looked since Week 1. Moreover, they were able to come up with some big-time plays at critical points in the game.
Which allowed the Commanders to go on and score 17 unanswered points. Thus, helping Washington pull off the impressive victory over the reigning two-time MVP, Aaron Rodgers, alongside a very talented Packers team.
Heinicke Brings Energy to Commanders
As previously stated above, backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke got his opportunity to lead the Commanders’ offense this week. Though this wasn’t a new experience for him, being that he was the starting quarterback for Washington just a year ago.
With that, he had the confidence of both his teammates and coaching staff in his ability to step in and take over the offense seamlessly. As he gives the Commanders’ offense a different feel and energy; with the never quit attitude that he has embodied throughout the course of his career.
For Heinicke it would be a roller coaster type of day for him; having some ups and downs throughout the course of the game. As he was not deadly accurate with the ball; throwing behind his receivers on multiple occasions. While also making some questionable decisions with the ball when trying to throw into tight windows.
Consequently, this ended up costing him an interception early in the second quarter. Resulting in a 63-yard touchdown for Packers linebacker, De’Vondre Campbell. However, Heinicke showed his resilience and was able to deliver a much-needed 83-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession.
During the drive Washington was able to lean on their running game; as both their running backs, Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson, were able to break loose for big 20+ yard runs. With those two big runs, Washington found themselves in a prime scoring position from inside the 10-yard line.
After a few plays that basically went nowhere, the Commanders were faced with a 3rd and eight and needed a touchdown dearly to get themselves back into the game. With that, Taylor Heinicke was able to deliver a dart of a throw to Antonio Gibson for a 9-yard touchdown to bring the score to 10-14 at halftime.
Subsequently, coming out of half time Heinicke and the Commanders’ offense would come out firing. As they would go on a 74-yard scoring drive to open up the third quarter. Once again, getting good production out of their running game; highlighted by Curtis Samuel’s big 16-yard rush on a jet sweep.
Two plays later Heinicke was able to let it loose and deliver an absolute dime to Terry McLaurin. Connecting with him on a streak up the right sideline for a 37-yard touchdown to give Washington their first lead of the day.
Essentially, this gave the Commanders a tremendous energy boost out of the gate that would last them for the remainder of the game. With that, Washington was able to control the game from that point moving forward.
As Heinicke and the offense were able to put together some nice drives on his succeeding possessions. Although they weren’t able to cap off those drives with touchdowns; they were still able to get points on the board after two field goals. Which gave them a much-needed cushion that allowed them to hold off the Packers who made a surge late in the game.
Commanders’ Defense Holds Off Packers Offense
For the majority of the game the Commander’s defense was able to hold the Packers’ offense; led by the reigning back-to-back MVP; Aaron Rodgers, in check. As they were able to confine them to only 38 rushing yards for the game; while also giving up under 200 yards passing.
Outside of the Packers’ second drive early in the first quarter; where they were able to go on a 58-yard scoring drive. Alongside their late 75- yard scoring drive that brought them within 2 points at the end of the game. The Commanders’ defense kept their offense under wraps for all four quarters.
A big reason for the defense being able to shut down the Packers’ offense was their ability to get off of the field on third down. As the Commanders’ defense didn’t allow the Packers to convert a single third down. Forcing them to go 0-6 on third down, and also were able to stop them on their only 4th down attempt of the game as well.
While the defensive line wasn’t able to record a sack on Rodgers in the game; it was evident that they had the respect of the Packers. With them not wanting Rodgers to sit back in the pocket too long to allow for the Commanders’ elite pass rush to get to him.
Throughout the game, most of Green Bay’s offense came on the perimeter. As they wanted to get out on the edges with tosses to the running back and quick screens to their receivers. However, Washington’s defense was able to keep plays in front of them and corral the ball carrier with 11 helmets flying to the ball.
Ron Rivera’s Defensive Takeaways
During head coach, Ron Rivera’s, Monday morning press conference with the media, he spoke on the defense’s ability to get stops on third down; which is something that they have struggled with this season. He attributed that to them doing the work early on first and second down so that they were putting the Packers’ offense in more third and medium to third and long situations.
Rivera also credited the defensive staff for executing their game plan of wanting to attack Green Bay with a four-man rush and leaning more so on their secondary to contain the Packers’ offense. As Rivera stated, “It showed the confidence that we have in the back seven and the ability that we have to play the run with a light box.”
This was a very impressive performance from the Commanders’ defense. With their ability to shut down the Packers’ offense on third down and limit them to under 100 yards of total offense throughout three quarters; if not for their 75-yard drive late in the game.
Now the Commanders must take this performance and continue to build on that next week as they get back on the road to face off against the Colts. Who will also be having their backup quarterback plugged into the starting lineup after they benched starting quarterback Matt Ryan. So it will be interesting to see which backup quarterback can lead their team to the win.