“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

New Orleans 33, Washington 22 – Week 5, October 10, 2021

The Washington defense could not get to the Saints quarterback enough to shake him. Jameis Winston passed for four touchdown passes, leading the Saints to their 33-22 victory over the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Winston connected with Deonte Harty for a 72-yard touchdown when Harty was well behind the defense on a first-quarter post pattern.

With eight seconds remaining in the half and the ball on the Washington 49, Winston dropped back and heaved the ball to the end zone. Perhaps most telling was that no Washington defender made a play on the ball, allowing Marquez Callaway to easily catch the ‘Hail Mary’ to give the Saints a 20-13 halftime lead.

Early in the final quarter, Winston again connected with Callaway, this time from 12 yards out, giving the Saints a 27-16 lead.

After Washington cut the New Orleans’ lead to 27-22, Winston found Alvin Kamara from 19 yards for the game-clinching score.

Washington ran the ball for 131 yards, but quarterback Taylor Heinicke was inconsistent, only completing 20 of his 41 passing attempts for 248 yards. Heinicke was also sacked twice and threw two interceptions.

Adam Humphries, DeAndre Carter, and Terry McLaurin led Washington receivers with 73, 62, and 46 receiving yards, respectively.

With the disappointing home loss, Washington fell to 2-3, while New Orleans rose to 3-2 this season.