Commanders Overreactions: Taylor Heinicke Can Lead Washington To The Playoffs

The Washington Commanders continued their latest scorching stretch in Week 11 once they simply beat the Houston Texans by a rating of 23-10. With their newest win, the Commanders pushed their report over .500, and at 6-5, they could have an actual shot at making a playoff push over the subsequent few weeks. In fact, the Commanders newest win has spawned a ton of overreactions that can give followers false beliefs concerning the crew.

Washington has now received 5 of their final six video games to beat a 1-4 begin to the season and reemerge as a playoff contender. The Commanders haven’t had the hardest slate of video games throughout this stretch, however beating groups such because the Chicago Bears, Inexperienced Bay Packers, and Indianapolis Colts isn’t precisely simple. And naturally, the Commanders handed the Philadelphia Eagles their first lack of the season.

There are loads of causes to be ok with the Commanders proper now, however many followers are going to overreact to their latest scorching streak. With that in thoughts, let’s check out the three greatest overreactions which have flared up on account of Washington’s Week 11 win over Houston.

1. Taylor Heinicke can lead the Commanders to the playoffs

Taylor Heinicke filling in for Carson Wentz underneath heart has coincided with the Commanders stretch of successful. Wentz led the Commanders to their second win of the season over the Bears, however he fractured a finger within the course of, and was compelled to overlook time. Heinicke has stuffed in and led Washington to wins in 4 of their final 5 video games, and he’ll proceed to start out despite the fact that Wentz is now wholesome.

For that purpose, many of us consider that Heinicke has what it takes to steer Washington to the playoffs now that he has led the Commanders to a report above .500, however that possible isn’t true. If the season ended in the present day, the Commanders can be the eight seed within the NFC, simply lacking the playoffs. However there are a few issues working towards their quest to maneuver up within the playoff image over the subsequent few weeks.

First, the Commanders have nearly no margin for error contemplating they play within the NFC East, with all 4 groups having data above .500 at present. 4 of their last six video games come towards groups with data above .500 as properly, and whereas having their bye week in Week 14 helps, that permits different groups to construct up their leads over the Commanders. Heinicke has been OK underneath heart, however Washington isn’t dominating groups, and it appears possible they may regress to the imply over their last six video games.

2. The Commanders protection doesn’t even want Chase Younger

Commanders star cross rusher Chase Younger was speculated to be activated to the 53-man roster forward of this recreation, however he by no means was. Younger was finally activated on Monday afternoon, however does it actually even matter at this level? The Commanders protection (notably their entrance seven) has been electrical this season with out Younger, so who even cares that he’s returning?

In fact, that’s flawed logic, however it’s price noting that the Commanders have been doing a terrific job holding down the fort with out Younger. Washington has racked up 29 whole sacks on the season, with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat all recording a minimum of six sacks to date this season. They’ve a powerful cross rush even with out Younger.

You possibly can by no means have sufficient good gamers on the sphere, although, and including Younger ought to permit the defensive entrance to enhance much more. He struggled when he performed in 2021, and can possible want a while to shake off the rust, however he was electrical when he received Defensive Rookie of the 12 months again in 2020, and if he can finally play like he did then, the Commanders can have an much more harmful protection.

3. The Commanders ought to reinstate Antonio Gibson because the lead operating again

Washington’s operating again state of affairs has been bizarre all season lengthy. Antonio Gibson appeared set to lose his maintain of the lead function throughout coaching camp to Brian Robinson, however Robinson was compelled to go on the injured reserve to start out the season after he was shot twice within the leg in an armed theft try. Each guys are enjoying now, although, however nobody can actually inform if one man is the lead over the opposite.

Neither man has been notably efficient on the bottom, with Gibson averaging simply 3.7 yards per carry and Robinson averaging 3.4, however Gibson affords far more as a pass-catcher than Robinson, which is especially essential now that J.D. McKissic is out for the remainder of the season. It appears to make sense to only give Gibson the lead function the remainder of the season, wouldn’t it?

Gibson could also be simpler, however the Commanders’ wacky operating again deployment is working as is, so there’s no sense in altering issues. Gibson and Robinson complement one another properly, and utilizing them each forces opposing defenses to remain on their toes. It hasn’t precisely been standard, however it’s labored for Washington, and there’s actually no purpose to vary it at this level.