Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera often appears to have his finger on the heartbeat of his group and what’s greatest in most conditions. But Rivera’s newest determination to take a seat Taylor Heinicke and elevate Carson Wentz again to the beginning lineup could be probably the most absurd transfer of the yr in Washington. Well, on the sector, not less than. There’s a lot occurring off the sector with this franchise, it’s gone embarrassing.
Where soccer choices are involved, this transfer by Rivera appears tone-deaf. Like a knee-jerk response after being dominated by the hottest group in soccer, San Francisco. That is a group that’s gained eight in a row. So, Washington is hardly alone. Heinicke wasn’t horrible towards the 49ers, as he accomplished over 72 p.c of his passes and threw for two touchdowns. He did have one interception, however the Commanders had been on this sport heading into the fourth quarter down by simply seven factors.
Washington was capable of put up 20 factors towards the Niners, which is probably the most San Francisco has given up throughout this eight-game successful streak. We perceive there aren’t any “moral” victories within the NFL. But benching Heinicke after that efficiency when you possibly can’t say he’s absolutely the cause your group misplaced is ludicrous. Washington merely bumped into a greater group.
Add the truth that Wentz’s teammates don’t care a lot for him, which makes this much more puzzling. It’s been the identical factor with Wentz going again to Philadelphia. Lack of management qualities and him not regarding gamers within the locker room. If anybody is aware of how necessary it’s to have the locker room’s respect, it’d be Rivera, a Super Bowl-winning linebacker for the Chicago Bears within the Eighties.
Honestly, it seems like Rivera was searching for a cause to get Wentz again on the sector. Is he higher than Heinecke? Will the offense enhance with Wentz beneath middle? Before fill-in responsibility towards the 49ers on Christmas eve, Wentz hadn’t performed in over two months. That was a win in mid-October over the Bears, 12-7, the place the previous No. 2 total decide regarded horrible. He accomplished simply 55 p.c of his passes and posted a 66.3 passer score.
If that is Rivera’s reply in hopes of holding onto that closing NFC wildcard spot, they could as effectively pack it up now. Placing your destiny within the arms of Carson Wentz has not labored out effectively prior to now. You can ask Jim Irsay about that. The Colts proprietor seemed like he was able to strangle Wentz after Indianapolis collapsed in Weeks 17 and 18 final season needing only one win to make the postseason. That relationship went bitter so quick that Irsay shipped Wentz out after one yr.
Clearly, the Commanders have few viable choices on the QB place, however Wentz has by no means been the reply to the riddle. He was excellent in Philly briefly however misplaced the locker room. With Indy, he by no means had it, and the identical appears obvious in Washington. Having the Browns to return again towards might be a silver lining, but when there’s a option to screw this up, Wentz will discover it.