Game Recap – Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts

October 31, 2022

By Noonefromtampa

First Half

Washington won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Commanders held the Sam Ehlinger-led Colts offense to a three and out on their first possession, behind a Bobby McCain pass breakup on third down and two.

Washington picked up a first down on a 16 yard pass from Taylor Heinicke to Antonio Gibson on first down but were unable to convert on third down and five with Heinicke taking a sack and a 1 yard loss.

After the Tress Way punt, the Colts went three and out again after David Mayo broke up a pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr.  Washington was able to pick up two first downs on their next series, during which Gibson picked up 16 yards on a swing pass and Brian Robinson picked up 2 yards on third and 1. Then the drive petered out as a result of an incompletion and a 7 yard loss on a bubble screen to Terry McLaurin.

After the Way punt, the Colts had their first real drive of the game. After two short runs by Jonathan Taylor, Ehlinger hit Pittman on consecutive pass plays of 10 yards and 16 yards. Then on third and two, Taylor ripped out a 27 yard run, which moved the ball down to the Washington 25 yard line. The drive stalled at that point because of 6 yard sack by Daron Payne. Chase McLaughlin hit a 46 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead by the Colts.

Washington responded with a 6 play, 75 yard touchdown drive of their own. Robinson started the drive with a pair of 7 yard runs. Heinicke then hit McLaurin on a crosser out of the slot and McLaurin was able to pick up 43 yards when the defensive back missed the tackle. Curtis Samuel picked up 8 yards on a run up the middle and Gibson picked up the two yards for the first down at the Colts 9 yard line.  Then, a play action fake to Gibson and a Heinicke throw to a wide-open Gibson led to the 9 yard touchdown reception. Joey Slye converted the extra point giving the Commanders a 7-3 lead.

The Colts picked up a first down on a first down pass to Kylen Granson for 15 yards. Two incompletion and a short run end the drive. The Commanders were lucky that Kendall Fuller was not called for defensive pass interference after grabbing Alec Pierce by the shoulder pads on a deep route along the sidelines.

Washington was able to pick up a first down on the next series behind a 20 yard completion to Samuel; however, a screen pass to Gibson that lost 4 yards left the Commanders with a second and fourteen situation. The Colts defensive line knocked down a second down pass and Heinicke was only able to pick 9 yards on a third down scramble.

On the next series, Parris Campbell picked up 28 yards on a jet sweep that caught the Washington defense flatfooted. Nyheim Hines picked up 9 yards on a direct snap and Taylor picked 17 yards on two rushes. On second and 1, Ehlinger ran for no gain, but James Smith-Williams was called for a facemask penalty which moved the ball down to the Washington 13 yard line. Jonathan Allen tackled Deon Jackson for a 4 yard loss. Allen then strip-sacked Ehlinger and the ball was recovered by Payne, ending the Colts’ scoring threat.

Washington ran the ball three straight times to pick up the first down with just under two minutes left in the half. An apparent second first down on a run by Heinicke was overturned on review. A third down incompletion forced another Way punt. The Colts elected to take a knee and end the half.

Washington 7, Indianapolis 3

Second Half

Washington opened the second half with a play action pass to John Bates for 6 yards and followed it up with an option run in which Heinicke pitched the ball out to Samuel for 11 yards. On third and 10, McLaurin picked up 9 yards. Washington went for it on fourth and one and lost a yard on the play.

On the next series, the Colts were able to move the ball 50 yards on 9 plays mainly behind runs by Taylor, Ehlinger’s scrambles, and 9 yard pass to Pierce. Kamren Curl stopped Pittman on second down with a great tackle and Taylor gained no yards on third and three. McLaughlin nailed a 39 yard field goal.

The Commanders went three and out on their next series, only picking up 5 yards on a McLaurin catch on third down and 10. The Colts got a big play on the next drive with a 47 yard pass to Pierce over Benjamin St-Juste, who made a touchdown-saving tackle. Taylor picked up 8 yards on the next play but fumbled the ball on the subsequent run after a hit by Darrick Forrest and it was recovered by Casey Toohill.

On the next series, the Washington offense did little with ball and Heinicke was sacked for a 12 yard loss on third and six. The Colts got called for offensive holding, which put them in a second and long; however, Ehlinger hit Campbell on bubble screen and Campbell picked up 38 yards behind good blocking. Hines caught a 22 yard pass on the next play to move the ball down to the Commanders’ 3 yard line. The Washington defense then came alive, and Ehlinger was tackled for no gain.  Then, Curl stopped Pittman short of the goal line on a pass. On the next play, Jamin Davis penetrated and tackled Taylor for a one yard loss. McLaughlin put the ball through the upright for a 20 yard field goal to give the Colts a 9-7 lead.

After the kickoff, Heinicke threw an ill-advised throw at Cam Sims which was intercepted by Shaquille Leonard, who returned it 15 yards. After putting the Colts into a 2 and 22 following a offensive holding penalty, Rachad Wildgoose was called for defensive pass interference for 30 yards down to the Washington six yard line. Nyheim Hines scored on a run around the left end on the next play and the extra point was good. The Colts lead grew to 16-7.

Washington started their next drive with three straight completions, with Gibson picking up 10 yards and 12 yards and then McLaurin picking up 18 yards. Samuel picked up 18 yards on a fourth and six. Armani Rogers then picked up 13 yards on a reception. The drive stalled at that point and Slye kicked a 28 yard field goal.

Washington held the Colts to a three and out on the next series. Ehlinger was stopped short of the first down which was upheld after the Colts challenged the call on the field. After a punt by Matt Haack, Washington got the ball back at their own 11 with 2:39 left to play.

The Commanders were only able to pick up 9 yards in three plays. Then, however, Heinicke connected with Samuel for a 12 yard gain on fourth down. On the next play, Heinicke eluded the rush, shovel-passed it to J.D. McKissic for a 4 yard gain. Heinicke scrambled for 9 yards and a first down. The next play was a 21 yard completion to Sims and then the magic happened. Heinicke chased out of the pocket and launched a deep jump ball which McLaurin took from Stephon Gilmore at the one yard line of the Colts. Heinicke punched the ball in from there on a keeper and Slye kicked the extra point.

The Colts only had 22 seconds left on the clock when the got the ball back. The defense did a good job of the keeping the Colts in front of them and inbounds. The Colts only picked up 8 yards before time expired.

Washington 17, Indianapolis 16

Game Thoughts

Taylor Heinicke wins games, but he is not the long-term answer at quarterback. He holds the ball too long trying to make a good decision and makes poor throws a lot because of his mechanics. However, he can rally the players like nobody else on the roster.

Once again, the offensive playing calling left average observers mystified. Scott Turner seems to avoid using things that would play to Heinicke’s strengths, such as rollouts. And someone please tell my why this team cannot run a decent screen play at least once in a game?

The defense gave up some big plays today, which they have not done for several weeks. They did make up for it with the some excellent red zone stands that kept the Colts to field goals instead of touchdowns. This game could have ended much differently, but the defense played tough when it counted.

The hero of the game is Terry McLaurin, whose spectacular catch enable Washington to comeback and when the game. If anyone wants to knock Terry, they need to watch that play and tell me why he is not one of the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL today.