Week 15 Key Numbers: Mistakes and missed opportunities plague Commanders
Two weeks after the Washington Commanders and NY Giants ended in a tie, the teams faced off again in front of a national audience. Once again, it was another nail-biter, with the Commanders having a chance to tie it late in the fourth quarter.
But, there was no Heinicke miracle this time around, as the Commanders fell 20-12 in a game that could have major playoff implications.
There were numerous questionable calls throughout the game including on the late Brian Robinson touchdown run, which was called back because of an illegal formation call on Terry McLaurin. It looks like McLaurin checked with the ref to make sure he was lined up properly, but was still called for a penalty.
Terry McLaurin looks at the ref asking if he’s good - ref points back at McLaurin as of to indicate he’s good. McLaurin then gives a thumbs up to ref to acknowledge it. This “penalty” took a Brian Robinson TD off the board. Via @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/B86N6nsJsS
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) December 19, 2022
Two plays later, Heinicke found Curtis Samuel in the end zone, but the pass was dropped, which sealed the win for the Giants. But, if you look closely, you can see the defender was draped around Samuel way before the ball arrived, which should have been an easy defensive pass interference call.
THIS IS PASS INTERFERENCE pic.twitter.com/2G34aqzHFk
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 19, 2022
There was also a questionable call earlier in the game where Heinicke found Samuel for a successful two-point conversion, only for an offensive pass interference penalty to be called on Dotson. Or, when Samuel got hit helmet-to-helmet on a catch, with the defender making a “good night” gesture, as the refs stood by holding their flags.
But, at the end of the day, you can’t put this on the refs as the same issues that have plagued the Commanders came back to hurt them throughout the game. The inability to convert in the red zone. Penalties that offset big plays. Struggles on third down. Turnovers. Questionable play calling. You name it.
Add all that up with the numerous misses by the zebras, and you get an L for the Commanders.
But, if there is any consolation for the Commanders, it’s the fact that they have two rookie ballers in Brian Robinson, who was bullying defenders all game, and Jahan Dotson, who was making highlight-reel receptions throughout.
Let’s get into the key numbers from Week 15’s frustrating loss to the Giants.