LANDOVER, Md. — Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke was corralled and in trouble. And then he did what he’s done most of the night: He made a play.
Facing a third-and-5 from the Tampa Bay 8-yard line late in the third quarter, Heinicke dropped back to pass against a four-man rush. The pressure pinched him to the middle and he ducked forward as a defender reached for him.
Then Heinicke took off through the left side and down the sideline. He was going to get the first down, but Heinicke wanted more. So, as he crossed inside the 5, and with defenders closing in, he dove for the pylon for a touchdown with 2 minutes, 14 seconds left in the quarter.
After a failed two-point conversion, it left Washington trailing, 18-16.
TAYLOR HEINICKE SHOWS OFF HIS WHEELS FOR SIX 💨
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/GvJpLhZz1Z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 10, 2021
Put some respect on the name. #WashingtonFootball #SuperWildCard
📺: #TBvsWAS on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/yWHeL8jeLS pic.twitter.com/ynG1EGSlMZ— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2021
Heinicke was making his second NFL start and first in the postseason. Through three quarters, he had completed 15-of-26 passes for 208 yards and an interception. He scrambled for a first down four times in the first three quarters, tying an NFL-best this season.
He’s the first Washington quarterback to scramble for a first down four times in a game since Jason Campbell in 2008 vs. San Francisco. Heinicke also is the first undrafted QB to rush for a touchdown in a playoff game since Jeff Garcia in 2003.