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Washington Football Team: 4 incredible stats that defined WFT’s win over the Giants

By Jerry Trotta

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Ricky Seals-Jones #83 of the Washington Football Team, Terry McLaurin #17 and Logan Thomas #82 celebrate a touchdown together during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Ricky Seals-Jones #83 of the Washington Football Team, Terry McLaurin #17 and Logan Thomas #82 celebrate a touchdown together during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Washington QB Taylor Heinicke. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Taylor Heinicke makes history

What more can be said about Taylor Heinicke? As long as he keeps performing like this, and Ron Rivera runs a meritocracy, Heinicke should undoubtedly keep the starting job when Ryan Fitzpatrick is back healthy.

For the game, Heinicke completed 73.9% of his passes (34-of-46) for 336 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. His go-ahead TD to Ricky Seals-Jones in the back corner of the with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter was one of the best throws from a Washington QB that we can remember.

Per Next Gen Stats, that play was the most improbable completion by a Washington QB since Week 9 of the 2018 season. The completion probability? 13.7% (!), so there’s an extra mind-blowing statistic for you.

That play alone was surely enough to win over fans that questioned whether Heinicke can win games as a weekly starter. However, the Old Dominion product did one better, albeit after throwing a pick, by leading Washington on a picture-perfect two-minute drill to set up Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning FG.

In doing so, Heinicke became the first QB since 1978 to register a go-head passing touchdown, an interception, and a game-winning drive in the final five minutes of regulation (all on three separate drives), per ESPN Stats and Info.

Nothing like making a little NFL history in your third career start, right? At this point, fans have no reason to doubt Heinicke until he gives them a reason to. Here’s what we know about Heinicke so far. Correct us if we’re wrong.

  • He gave the Buccaneers everything they could handle in the playoffs last year
  • He nearly willed Washington to a win in Week 1 after relieving the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick, posting a 119.3 passer rating in a game that was ultimately blown by the defense’s inability to get off the field on third down.
  • Wins a must-have division game before the schedule really stiffens up. Throws for over 300 yards and two TDs.

Believe in Heinicke! What do you have to lose?

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