When it was announced Saturday afternoon that QB Taylor Heinicke would be the starter of the Washington Football Team because Alex Smith (calf) was not ready to play, the worst was thought for Ron Rivera’s side. However, the sixth-year quarterback impressed in his NFL Playoff debut and put on good chance for the NFC East team to win the game.
It is true that the Washington Football Team ended up falling 31-23 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but thanks to Heinicke they were in the game at all times.
How brilliant was Heinicke’s debut?
Head coach Ron Rivera knows Taylor Heinicke from his time with the Carolina Panthers, as he was his coach on the NFC South team in 2018. That’s why when he took the job in Washington he brought him on his roster and with complete confidence cut QB Dwayne Haskins (first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft) to be Alex Smith’s backup.
With the veteran’s injury, he fearlessly named Heinicke and looked with great capabilities to face a postseason game with him despite the fact that it would be his presentation in the playoffs. Against all expectations, Heinicke came out in a big plan finishing with 26/44, 306 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (deflected on the line); 6 carries, 46 yards, 1 rushing TD (one of the best touchdowns of the season).
Taylor Heinicke is a baller. Wowww.pic.twitter.com/TI8LGlWAPc
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 10, 2021
He distributed the ball so well that three Washington receivers finished with at least 70 yards:
- WR Cam Sims: 7 receptions, 104 yards
- WR Terry McLaurin: 6 receptions, 75 yards
- TE Logan Thomas: 5 receptions, 74 yards
That’s something that even Alex Smith couldn’t do this season. Who knows what the game would have been like for Washington with the veteran under center, but they definitely did not suffer his loss, as Heinicke had such an outstanding performance that it would not be surprising if he had a starting job in 2021.
What did you think of QB Taylor Heinicke’s debut in the NFL Playoffs? We read you in the comments.
