Week 8 at Indianapolis Colts
Taylor Heinicke had a decent 2022 debut for the Commanders in Week 7 vs. a tough Packers defense. Filling in for an injured Carson Wentz, Heinicke threw for 201 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Heinicke will continue to start for Washington in Week 8 in a fairly tough matchup against the Colts. Heinicke wouldn't be the worst option in Week 8, but there are many other quarterbacks with more upside. Heinicke should be viewed as a bottom-10 option at quarterback this week.
Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers
Taylor Heinicke will draw the start this week, and likely for a few more weeks, as Carson Wentz suffered a finger fracture in Week 6. Heinicke of course started 15 games for Washington last season where he had some good weeks, but was mostly below average. In his 15 starts he had five games with multiple touchdown passes with just one game above 300 passing yards. Heinicke also has legs as he had three games with at least 40 rushing yards, including a 95-yard game on the ground. Overall, though, Heinicke averaged 219.8 yards per game with a 19-17 TD-Turnover ratio. As for this week, he'll draw a brutal matchup against the Packers in Week 7. With his skillset and the unfavorable matchup, we'd stay from Heinicke in Week 7.
Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Taylor Heinicke looked horrible last week against the Cowboys. He finished 7-of-22 for 121 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The game got so out of hand that he was eventually benched for Kyle Allen. We'd expect Heinicke to return as a starter for Week 17 where he'll face the Eagles. Oddly enough, Heinicke missed Washington's game against the Eagles just a few weeks ago as Washington's passing attack finished below 200 yards with no touchdowns in that game. It's a tough matchup as the Eagles have given up the 9th-fewest average fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. And with Heinicke's struggles lately (165.5 yard average with a 5-to-6 TD-Turnover ratio in his last four games), we'd probably look elsewhere at QB in Week 17.
Week 16 at Dallas Cowboys
Taylor Heinicke was unable to play last week as he couldn't clear the COVID list, even with an extended game. But he's been cleared since and is set to start in Week 16 against the Cowboys. Oddly enough, the Cowboys are the last team Heinicke faced. He finished with 122 yards, one touchdown and two turnovers in that game. Although he only played about 70% of the game as he left early due to injury. Still, Heinicke struggled in the matchup, which isn't a surprise since the Cowboys have been tough on quarterbacks this year. Since Heinicke struggled just a few weeks ago against this defense, we don't see why he'd suddenly improve. Heinicke will be a poor QB option in Week 16.
Week 14 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Taylor Heinicke played OK last week. He finished with two passing touchdowns, just his second game with multiple passing scores in his last eight outings. But he only threw for 196 yards and ran for 10. Heinicke has essentially been a solid mid-range QB throughout the year. Not quite productive enough to be your main QB, but not bad enough to just leave on waivers all the time. He'll stay in that mid-range area again heading into a Week 14 matchup vs. the Cowboys. The Cowboys are an odd matchup because they've given up the fifth-most pass yards, but the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns. Heinicke will be around the QB15 range for Week 14.
Week 13 at Las Vegas Raiders
Taylor Heinicke had an OK outing last week, finishing with 223 yards, one touchdown and an interception. That's become pretty much the norm for Heinicke now. He's finished with one touchdown or less in six of his last seven games. He's only topped 300 yards passing once all year. And he has 10 interceptions in 10 starts this season. So you can basically expect around 250 pass yards, one score, one turnover and around 20 rush yards from Heinicke most weeks. He does get a favorable matchup against the Raiders this week, though, so there's a chance he performs better than usual. The Raiders have given up 20 pass touchdowns to QBs this year, which is tied for 7th-most in the league. We like Heinicke as a solid streaming choice, placing him around QB15 in our Week 13 rankings.
Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Taylor Heinicke returned to his productive ways last week as he finished with 206 pass yards, three touchdowns, 29 rush yards and no turnovers. In the previous five games, Heinicke had a combined four touchdowns with seven turnovers. What made the performance even more impressive is the fact it came against a strong Panthers defense. The matchup gets easier this week against the Seahawks, although it's not a favorable matchup. Still, with Heinicke's recent production, he can be viewed as a viable streaming option for those in need of a quarterback. We have Heinicke as a top 15 choice at the position in Week 12. He's averaging 252 pass yards, about 30 rush yards, and has scored at least one touchdown in every game but one. Those aren't Patrick Mahomes' numbers, but they're not bad, and he's fairly consistent.
Week 11 at Carolina Panthers
Taylor Heinicke wasn't dominant last week, but he had a solid game, finishing with 256 pass yards, a touchdown, 15 rush yards and no turnovers. Heinicke was a great option to start the year, scoring eight touchdowns with three turnovers in his first three starts. But he's cooled off since then, scoring four touchdowns with seven turnovers in his last five starts. He's also taken 14 sacks in his last three games after taking just five sacks in his first five games. Heinicke's struggles will likely continue in Week 11 in a tough matchup against the Panthers, who have given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs. Heinicke has been a decent streaming option most weeks, but there should be better options available in Week 11.
Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ryan Fitzpatrick is still out after the bye, meaning Taylor Heinicke will continue to start for Washington. Heinicke got off to a strong start at the beginning of the year, but has hit a slump lately. He has a 3-7 TD-to-turnover ratio over his last four starts, which is not what you want to see from your QB. He could bounce back this week in a favorable matchup vs. the Bucs while also coming off of a bye. Heinicke has shown enough this year to be a solid streaming option in favorable matchups. That's what he'll be in Week 10. If you need a bye-week filler, Heinicke wouldn't be a bad choice.
Week 8 at Denver Broncos
The Taylor Heinicke Show has started to cool off a bit in recent weeks. Heinicke scored eight touchdowns in his first three starts this season but has scored just two touchdowns in his last three starts. It wasn't all bad last week, though, as Heinicke finished with 268 pass yards, and added a solid 95 rush yards on 10 carries, although he did have two turnovers. Heinicke's struggles could continue this week in a tough matchup vs. the Broncos who are sixth in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs.
Of the seven QBs to play vs. the Broncos this year, only two have finished with two touchdowns, and none have finished with more. Heinicke isn't a bottom-of-the-barrel option, but it's not a strong week for him. He'll be in the 15-20 range of QB options in Week 8.
