Washington Football Team: Three takeaways from close 2020 playoff loss
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Taylor Heinicke is a keeper
Enough can’t be said about the performance that Taylor Heinicke put up in Round 1 of the playoffs. Coming into the game, the quarterback position was expected to be a dire weakness for the Washington Football Team. Instead, it was a strength. Because of Heinicke. The Old Dominon product completed 26 of 44 passes for 306 yards, one score, and one pick, and he also ran six times for 46 yards and a score.
Heinicke made quick reads, made crisp throws, and extended plays time and time again with his legs. He rebounded from an interception to lead a touchdown drive in the first half, to keep the Buccaneers from running away. He willed his way into the end zone with an amazing diving touchdown run in the second half, bringing the score to 18-16.
Soon after that, Heinicke suffered what appeared to be a left shoulder injury. He went to the locker room with his left arm limp, clearly in pain. Steven Montez started warming up, but Heinicke came back, helmet still on, and led another touchdown drive when he returned to the field with his arm taped up.
Few words can encapsulate just how impressive Heinicke was. He was gutsy. He was resilient. He was inspiring. But he was also, beyond that, a competent starting quarterback in the playoffs, with relatively little notice or preparation. Heinicke won over his teammates, and if the Washington Football Team doesn’t get a clear-cut franchise quarterback in 2021, Heinicke should have his chance to battle for the job.