EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The sequence provided a reminder and, the Washington Commanders hope, a foreshadowing. Their receivers are good -- they can make plays and, perhaps, be a reason why the team secures a playoff spot in 2022.

Washington’s run game and defense have powered the Commanders’ resurgence this season. But the ability to make plays in the passing game could make the difference in finalizing that push. They have been reluctant to veer too much from the formula that helped them win six of seven games before tying the New York Giants (7-4-1) Sunday. Washington enters its bye week at 7-5-1 and are a half-game out of a playoff spot.

On Sunday’s game-tying 90-yard drive, receiver Curtis Samuel caught three passes for 51 yards while rookie Jahan Dotson punctuated the series with a 28-yard catch and run, featuring separation at the line of scrimmage then a spin move to complete the score.

That was to go with Terry McLaurin's eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

“Those guys are huge playmakers, and you continue to see it every week,” quarterback Taylor Heinicke said, “so the more that I can get them the ball, let them do their thing, the better we’ll be.”

With a banged-up offensive line -- Washington has started four centers and four right guards this season -- the Commanders' pass protection struggles when it throws too much.

Sunday, Heinicke was sacked a season-high five times -- after going sackless in the previous two games. He also dropped back to pass 47 times, his third-highest total in his 24 games with Washington. The Commanders are 2-4-1 with 25 sacks allowed when he drops back at least 40 times.

Early in the season, with the stronger-armed Carson Wentz, Washington wanted to involve this wide receiver trio more. It also didn’t have rookie running back Brian Robinson until Week 5. Robinson has rushed for a combined 201 yards the past two games and has steadily improved as he worked his way back from two gunshot wounds suffered in an attempted armed robbery in late August.

The reality is, Washington isn’t about to return to a pass-first offense. There will be games when the Commanders must veer from that formula, whether because of score or other factors. However, the identity is known.

“It's about trying to do what's best for our team to win,” offensive coordinator Scott Turner said. “If it's not broken, you know, don't fix it.”

McLaurin’s usage has only increased with Heinicke starting, even during the run-heavy stretch. In six games with Wentz, McLaurin was targeted 36 times. In seven games with Heinicke, he’s been targeted 62 times.

Samuel was targeted 50 times under Wentz compared to 29 with Heinicke. But he also went from only eight carries in the first six games to 23 over the past seven -- so his attempts have stayed largely the same.

The biggest change was for Dotson, who can help them over the next four games with his playmaking ability. Wentz targeted him 23 times for 12 catches and four touchdowns in the first four games, but then Dotson injured his hamstring and missed the next five games. In his first three games back, Dotson was targeted four times and caught two passes. Sunday, Heinicke targeted him nine times and he caught five for 54 yards.

“They’re making some big-time plays,” left tackle Charles Leno Jr. said of that receiving trio. “Those guys are unreal.”

Turner all but predicted Dotson's increased output, telling the media last week, “there's going to be games as we go down the stretch here where you're going to see more production from Jahan.”

It’s not as if Dotson hasn’t been getting open. Sometimes he’s not the initial read and other times the ball isn’t thrown. On his touchdown, he patiently came off the line, then threw a hesitation move at corner Zyon Gilbert, creating several yards of separation. Ten yards after he caught the ball, Dotson spun off a defender and sprinted into the end zone.

“It makes all our jobs easier when we can all go out there and make plays,” McLaurin said. “When you’ve got a receiver who can win in short areas, break the tackle, spin off guys and score touchdowns, that makes you a lethal group.”

To which Heinicke says: Amen.

“You see what Curtis does all the time with the ball in his hands. Terry is always getting open and making big plays,” Heinicke said, “so the more you can give them opportunities and get the ball in their hands, I think the better this team is going to be.”

Rivera said part of it stems from Dotson being more comfortable after having missed so much time.

Also, when he first played he was playing with Wentz. Sunday also marked the first time Heinicke has completed more than 17 passes in a game with Dotson, their first-round pick in April. Washington also ran 52 snaps out of three-receiver sets Sunday, its highest total in that grouping since Dotson came back.

Sunday’s flashes, Rivera said, should make everyone more aware of what Dotson, who still leads the team with five touchdown receptions, can add.

“There are more weapons than just handing the ball off, or throwing the ball to somebody else,” Rivera said. “Now we’re in a position where we can really spread it and open that game book and see how many different people touch the ball. That’s one of the strengths of our offense, the more [players] touch the ball, the more diversity in the offense.”