Carson Wentz being called upon to keep Commanders hopes alive

Clinching a playoff berth in the NFL requires intense determination. Franchises evaluate their rosters at the end of each week – preparing to implement changes for better success. A change in the rotations could be the difference between a loss or a win.

For some teams, defeat in Week 17 would result in elimination from playoff contention. Will the Commanders rise above their competition with a new quarterback under center this week?

Washington Commanders are lucky to have a backup like Taylor Heinicke

A rough start to the new campaign caused Ron Rivera to make a quarterback swap. A poor performance from Carson Wentz in Week 6 against the Bears raised concerns for the franchise’s supporters. Washington struggled to put points on the board – finishing with seven points against a weak defensive unit. Chicago’s defense limited No.11 to 99 passing yards and kept him out of the endzone. The Commanders salvaged a 12-7 win, but the offense needed a spark to continue to season.

Inserting Taylor Heinicke into the lineup was the solution to Washington’s offensive slump. He led his squad to Wins against the Colts and Packers and boosted morale. The Commanders continued to succeed – including handing the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss. Victories against the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans gave Heinicke a 5-1 record heading into a crucial part of the schedule – preparing the team for playoff contention.

Washington Commanders bench Heinicke for Wentz entering Week 17

Inconsistencies against the Giants and 49ers raised for the Commander’s fanbase – and cost Heinicke his starting job. Pressure from opposing defenses exposed No. 4’s lack of ability to make quick decisions with the football – resulting in costly turnovers.

The Commanders are positioned to clinch the seventh seed in the NFC playoff bracket and cannot squander their opportunity. Head Coach Ron Rivera announced the decision to start Carson Wentz in their upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Wentz finished with a touchdown pass with a 75 percent completion percentage – showing glimpses of leadership during a pivotal part of the season.

Inserting Wentz into the starting line-up is viewed as a questionable decision by some of the Commanders’ supporters. Taylor Heinicke’s performances on the gridiron helped Ron Rivera’s squad revive their season after a horrendous 1-4 start. No. 4 is ranked 30th in passing yards (1,859) and 25th in quarterback rating (45.0). His stats do not jump off the page, but he’s been the quarterback that has led the franchise to victories this season.

Starting a quarterback with more experience sounds like the best decision for a team looking to secure a playoff berth. Ron Rivera and his staff believe Carson Wentz has a better chance of securing a win against the Browns than Heinicke – despite his rough start to the 2022 season. If No.11 performs well, the coaching staff will receive praise, but a loss could result in multiple jobs lost.