Taylor Heinicke’s latest start looked familiar: some mistakes and clutch passes. And he ‘plays like it’s his last game every time.’

Taylor Heinicke returned to the Washington Commanders’ lineup on Sunday, and it was clear not much has changed since the former Old Dominion star started 15 games last season.

Heinicke made some poor decisions and risky throws, but he also turned in some clutch plays and didn’t wilt under pressure. And after Washington’s 23-21 victory over Green Bay, Heinicke’s teammates again raved about his gutsy, underdog mentality.

“He plays like it’s his last game every single time,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin told reporters in postgame. “That energy spreads throughout this team. You just want to be able to make that play to elevate him.”

On Sunday at FedEx Field, Heinicke showed why his improbable return to the NFL has been both maddening and exhilarating for Washington fans. He misfired on six of his first seven passes and threw an interception that the Packers’ De’Vondre Campbell returned 63 yards for a touchdown. Social media was buzzing with calls for rookie Sam Howell to replace Heinicke.

Heinicke, though, recovered from his early struggles and with the game on the line, Heinicke came through. He lofted a perfect pass to McLaurin for a 37-yard touchdown in the third quarter that gave Washington the lead for good. That came during a stretch when Heinicke completed seven straight passes.

On a fourth-quarter drive, Heinicke twice threw key completions to McLaurin to milk the clock and keep the ball out of Green Bay’s hands. Heinicke finished 20 of 33 for 201 yards with two touchdowns and an INT.

“I think it’s the mentality he’s had. It is an underdog mentality,” coach Ron Rivera said. “The thing about him is we’ve got a tremendous amount of faith in what he can do. You look at the things that he does and the way he handles it.”

Heinicke was out of football and taking online classes to finish his ODU degree when Washington signed him late in the 2020 season. He turned an impressive playoff performance in a loss to Tampa Bay into a contract, and was Washington’s starter last season after an injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick in the opener.

This season, Heinicke was backing up Carson Wentz until Wentz last week was sidelined with a fractured finger on his throwing hand. Wentz has been placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least the next three games.

Heinicke doesn’t take lightly his chances to play in the NFL.

“Two years ago I was out of the league,” Heinicke said. “So every time I go out onto that field it’s an opportunity for me to go play and play like it’s my last time. Because you never know.”

That attitude has helped Heinicke win over Washington’s fickle fan base, along with his teammates and coaches.

“I know what type of competitor he is. That guy is a fighter,” tackle Charles Leno said. “I love playing with him and playing for him. No matter what, I’ve got his back. That guy steps up at the times he needs to.”

McLaurin: “Taylor has a lot of energy in how he approaches this game of playing football. You can just tell he plays free-spirited.”

Linebacker Cole Holcomb: “He’s a tough, tough quarterback. A little undersized, but he’s got that dog in him. He leaves it all out there.”

Heinicke is playing in the final season of a two-year contract that reportedly pays him a base salary of $1.5 million and offers incentives for playing time and victories. Sunday’s performance earned him $125,000 — given if he plays in 60% of snaps during a win — and the starting job is Heinicke’s if he can hold onto to it.

That’s the plan as Heinicke prepares for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis.

“Go out there and play like it’s my last game,” Heinicke said. “Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, but that’s just how I play. I think that’s when I do my best.”

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com