A take a look at the great (Hail!) and dangerous (Fail!) from the Washington Commanders’ 17-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
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Analysis | Hail or Fail: Playoffs?! After historic comeback, Commanders can dream.
Fail: A near-disastrous loss
Commanders co-owner Daniel Snyder watched the sport from a collection at Lucas Oil Stadium, and he couldn’t have preferred what he noticed till the ultimate 5 minutes. The Commanders struggled to maintain drives earlier than then, averaging 3.4 yards per carry and changing solely 2 of 12 third downs. The protection compelled two large turnovers but additionally allowed Colts second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who was making his first profession begin, to finish 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards.
With video games towards the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings and 7-0 Philadelphia Eagles on deck, a loss to the lowly Colts might have successfully buried Washington’s 2022 hopes by Halloween. As a substitute, the Commanders awoke one spot outdoors the NFC playoff image, calling to thoughts the immortal phrases of former Colts Coach Jim Mora. “Playoffs?! You wish to speak about playoffs?” For not less than yet another week, positive.
About the one manner Indianapolis native Terry McLaurin’s homecoming might have been higher is that if the final move he caught from Heinicke had traveled one yard farther. With the Commanders trailing 16-10 within the last minute, Heinicke noticed McLaurin breaking towards the top zone on an improvised route and lofted a 50-50 ball in his route. Besides it was extra like an 80-20 ball, as a result of McLaurin, who completed with six catches for 113 yards, was taking part in in his hometown for the primary time as a professional, this was his city, and he was not going to be denied, even with star cornerback Stephon Gilmore in glorious place to doubtlessly make a game-ending interception.
“I’ve obtained to make that play,” Gilmore stated of McLaurin’s spectacular 33-yard catch that arrange Heinicke’s game-winning landing run.
He didn’t, McLaurin did, and the Commanders are again to .500.
Fail: Instability on the offensive line
Throughout the first half, the Fox broadcast group of Brandon Gaudin and Robert Smith famous that Washington has had seven totally different beginning offensive line mixtures in eight video games this season, which is probably the most within the league. The most recent combo, very similar to the baked cracker and cheddar taste of the elite snack Combos, was missing. With Trai Turner at proper guard instead of Saahdiq Charles for the primary time since Week 4, the unit struggled to create lanes for Washington’s working backs. Although he was solely sacked twice, Heinicke hardly ever had time within the pocket to search for receivers downfield and was compelled to rely closely on brief and beneath routes. Washington’s line deserves credit score for its glorious move safety on the Commanders’ game-winning drive, together with the play that resulted in McLaurin’s clutch catch.
Hail: Antonio Gibson, landing machine
Gibson, the subject of trade rumors last week, managed solely 19 yards dashing on seven carries, however he had a team-high seven catches for 58 yards, together with a nine-yard landing within the second quarter. The third-year working again is tied with rookie broad receiver Jahan Dotson for the group lead in touchdowns this season with 4. The ball from Gibson’s second-quarter rating isn’t headed to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame just like the one he caught final week, which was the 3,000th touchdown in franchise history, however it’s a notable piece of memorabilia in its personal proper. No participant in franchise historical past has extra touchdowns by his first 38 video games than Gibson’s 25.
Gibson’s 25 whole touchdowns are probably the most by a Washington participant by their first 38 video games in franchise historical past.
— Washington Commanders PR (@Wash_PR) October 30, 2022
And also you thought the Commanders have been good at digging themselves deficits. Washington took a lead into halftime for under the third time this season. In the meantime, the Colts have trailed on the half in 10 straight video games relationship again to final yr, which is the longest lively streak within the NFL, and so they’re the one group to path after three quarters in each sport this season. It’s a surprise Coach Frank Reich’s squad has three wins.
Davis stepped up within the absence of fellow linebacker Cole Holcomb, who missed the sport with a foot damage. With the Colts dealing with third and aim from the Washington 1-yard line early within the third quarter, the 2021 first-round choose burst by the road and tackled working again Jonathan Taylor for a loss. Indianapolis settled for a discipline aim to take a 9-7 lead. Davis matched his season excessive with six tackles.
Fail: Operating the ball out of shotgun formation on fourth and brief
Ron Rivera stored punter Tress Method, Washington’s finest weapon for a lot of the day, on the sideline when the Commanders confronted fourth and inches from the Indianapolis 49-yard line on their first drive of the second half. Heinicke took the snap in shotgun formation and handed off to rookie working again Brian Robinson Jr., who was met within the backfield nearly instantly by linebacker E.J. Pace. Giving the ball to a man who began the play seven yards behind the road of scrimmage was a baffling choice, and it was hardly a shock when it resulted in a turnover on downs.