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ATLANTA – The Washington football team traveled south in desperate need of a win and almost returned to DC, cemented as one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Instead, Taylor Heinicke arrived.
Quarterbacks aren’t supposed to roll left, far left, keep scrambling, then throw themselves all over their bodies and across the field to a running back. But Heinicke did just that, and it worked, and it might have saved Washington’s season in a stunning 34-30 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Heinicke connected with JD McKissic for a 30-yard touchdown with just 33 seconds left. It was downright amazing.
The offense kept Washington in the game all day because the defense stank completely.
Jack Del Rio’s defense, said to be the strength of the team, delivered an embarrassing performance. The Falcons entered the competition among the bottom 10 units in the league, and Atlanta continued to roll offensively to the tune of 374 yards and 30 points.
The third down defense is offensive, and Washington’s prolonged inability to force the punt has reached Lower Sea Level.
Terry McLaurin and Taylor Heinicke attempted heroism. The duo connected for a late touchdown that brought Washington to life, but ultimately the team needed saves and the Washington defense couldn’t pull them together until the very end.
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- Best player on the field – There is no more debate as to whether McLaurin is the best player in Washington. He finished with six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He makes the circus captures seem routine and the routine looks great. He is the real deal.
- You better bounce back – Heinicke played his worst game last week in Buffalo and responded with a big push in front of friends and family in his hometown. He finished with 290 passing yards, completing 70% of his passes and was also very active with his legs. In this game, Washington’s offense was not the problem.
- Reunion crowd – Heinicke got to play in his hometown, but so did Antonio Gibson. And he was pretty good too. The running back finished with 75 total yards and a touchdown. A serious weapon for Washington.
- Great gaming machine – Fans will long remember McKissic’s 30-yard TD. He’s a great third and not just because of his football skills. McKissic provided a number of insane blitz pickups throughout the game in addition to his 59 attacking yards.
Falling stock
- Go to the top – Jack Del Rio has serious explanations to give. Washington high school is a mess and giving up the big games seems to be the norm. Atlanta is not an offensive juggernaut, yet against Washington it seemed to be. At one point in the second half, the Falcons had converted 70 percent of their third downs. 70. Poor communication, bad tackles, everything was exposed. Again. And it was bad.
- Hit and wrap – Washington’s tackle was its worst of the season Sunday in Atlanta, and the biggest problem was with linebackers and high school. Landon Collins had a few top flushes and rookie Jamin Davis looked lost in the running game.
- Instantly – Dustin Hopkins missed two more points. Washington almost lost by two points to the heroism of Heinicke. That’s all there is to say. It is fair to expect some competition at the kicker.
- Whistle, blow the game – The umpires did a terrible goddess by manhandling the passer at Chase Young on a fourth down at the end of the third quarter. This allowed some Falcons training to continue and ultimately resulted in the go-ahead with 14:52 left in the game. Young could have done the sack without going high, but the call was terrible and indicative of the bubble treatment QBs receive in the NFL.
- Big bug – The injury bug flared up in big ways – tight end Logan Thomas, wide receiver Dyami Brown and right guard Brandon Scherff all left the game and couldn’t return. Stay tuned for more information on these players, but such losses would be major.
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