Here’s why you shouldn’t doubt Taylor Heinicke after Week 14 performance

Fans of the Washington Football Team are up in arms after Taylor Heinicke turned in his worst performance of the year against the Dallas Cowboys.

While the depleted offensive line was no match for Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, Heinicke did himself no favors with his decision-making, accuracy and lack of poise in the face of adversity.

We know Heinicke has limitations from an intangibles standpoint, but the fact he failed to keep his composure was shocking to watch unfold. After all, that’s been his calling card since he took over for the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick.

With the playoff race as tight as it’s been all year, Washington will need Heinicke to rediscover that moxie once he’s activated off the COVID list.

We understand folks who have doubts about Heinicke after his Week 14 showing, but let’s not forget he bounced back from his nightmare outing in Buffalo with a show-stopping performance against Atlanta.

Taylor Heinicke’s resilience proves Washington Football Team fans should keep the faith in the QB.

We all remember the Buffalo debacle, right? Fresh off a thrilling victory over the GIants in primetime, Washington laid an egg in what Ron Rivera famously dubbed a “measuring stick” game for the club.

While the defense didn’t cover itself in glory — it allowed 43 points and 481 total yards — Heinicke was no match for the Bills’ suffocating D. For the game, he finished 14-of-24 for 212 yards and two touchdowns and interceptions apiece.

For context, 73 of those yards (and the one TD) came on a designed screen that Antonio Gibson took to the house in one of the highlights of the season. Heinicke’s second TD meanwhile, brought Washington within 22 points with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

So his stats didn’t accurately portray how poorly he played.

How did Heinicke respond? By going a cool 23-of-33 for 290 yards, his second most in a game this season, and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to JD McKissic with 33 seconds left in regulation, vs the Falcons.

It didn’t feel like it at the time, but this was a HUGE win for Washington. Not only did it help the club get back to .500, but it lost four straight games after that, so it could’ve been staring a 1-7 start in the face if not for Heinicke.

The former undrafted talent has been doubted his entire life as it pertains to football. This time last year, he was living with his sister and brother-in-law and having serious doubts about his future in the sport.

A month before last year’s Wild Card game against Tampa Bay, he was taking classes at Old Dominion working on his degree.

We’re not saying to grade him like a first- or second-year QB, but let’s not forget he was a catalyst during the four-game win streak. Without it, Washington is nowhere near the playoff picture.

If you wanna doubt Heinicke, be our guest. However, a bad game against a vaunted defensive front hasn’t changed our opinion on the 28-year-old. He got Washington to this point and loves a good bounce-back game.

Keep the faith in No. 4.