By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell had more of an up-and-down game than a week earlier when he had a career day, but the important difference for Washington was that it was a victory.
Howell threw for 425 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Commanders held on for a 20–17 victory at New England, which Washington’s Jartavius Martin sealed on an interception with 30 seconds left. The Commanders (4–5) had lost five of their previous six games.
Howell became the 20th first- or second-year quarterback to beat a Bill Belichick-coached team in 84 tries. With 2,471 yards, Howell has the third-most passing yards by a Washington quarterback through nine games, bettered only by Kirk Cousins’ 2,716 yards in 2016 and his 2,474 yards in 2016. Robert Griffin III had 2,450 in 2013.
“I want to be the quarterback here for a long time,” said Howell, whose passing yardage total was only topped in Sunday’s games by Houston rookie C.J. Stroud (470), Dallas’ Dak Prescott (374) and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (348). “But I don’t worry about the future. I take it one day at a time.”
Teammate Jon Allen, a defensive lineman, is a believer.
“He’s our future. He’s our quarterback, and I think we’ve found our next quarterback for the next five to 10 years, and I truly believe that,” Allen said.
Washington’s last drive of the first half typified Howell’s day. He avoided several tackles when ran for 24 yards on a third-and-23. After completing a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Byron Pringle on a third-and-10 to the Patriots 5, Howell threw an interception on the next play, and the Commanders trailed 14–10 at halftime.
“I thought it was all right,” Howell said. “I thought I did some good things. I made some good plays. I’ve just got to find a way to play better at certain times. Obviously, the interception was a big play for us. A chance for us to really get the momentum going into halftime and that’s probably one of the worst plays I’ve ever made in my football career. So definitely just got to not do that in that situation.”
His 33-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson on a deep pass up the middle tied the game at 17 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.
“They were trying to bring cover zero,” Howell said. “And for most of the game, our cover-zero stuff was getting some screens and stuff like that, so I knew we’d have an opportunity versus cover zero to get in max protection and take a shot down the field. And Jahan did a good job beating his guy. We knew it was going to be one-on-one. With cover zero, there’s nobody behind him. So, I tried to just throw it out there and let him go get it. He did.”
Washington took a lead it wouldn’t relinquish at 20–17 when Howell drove Washington 65 yards on eight plays for a 30-yard Joey Slye field goal with 1:49 left in the third quarter. Howell completed passes of 26 yards and 36 yards to wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the drive.
Howell was 29 of 45 for an 84.0 passer rating, his fourth-lowest the season. After being sacked only once last weekend, New England sacked him three times for 17 yards in losses.
“I thought I did some good plays,” Howell said. “A lot of guys stepped up and made some big plays down the field. The O line did a good job all day long. Ran the ball well. We protected well. They brought some blitzes from cover zeros, and we got to some checks and managed that pretty well. So, I thought, as a whole, we did we did a lot of really good things.We’ve just got to find a way to finish better and when we have a chance in the fourth quarter to win the game, we’ve got to take advantage.”
Dyami Brown caught two of the four passes targeted to him for 33 yards, his second-highest total this season. He played 29 offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps.
“Credit to those guys around me. Credit to God. So thankful to be where I am in my life, and it’s a credit to him,” Howell said in a postgame television interview with Fox.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins got only his third start of the season for Atlanta, thanks to a groin injury to Drake London keeping him out of the game. Hollins caught all three passes targeted to him for 26 yards in Atlanta’s 31–28 home loss to Minnesota before leaving with an ankle injury after playing six of his 20 snaps on special teams. Mike Hughes played nine of his 29 snaps on special teams and had no statistics.
Ty Chandler played exclusively on special teams (21 snaps) for the Vikings but had no statistics.
James Hurst returned to the New Orleans lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury, starting at left guard in the Saints’ 24–17 home win over Chicago. He played all 63 offensive snaps.
In Houston’s 39–37 win vs. Tampa Bay, M.J. Stewart Jr. had one tackle, one assist and one tackle in punt coverage. He hurt his shoulder with 11:30 left in the first half, was in a sling after the game and will have imaging done Monday on his shoulder injury. He played nine of his 13 snaps on special teams.
Josh Downs was limited in practice all of last week with a knee injury and didn’t start. He left Indianapolis’ 27–13 win at Carolina with an injury to that same knee after only 12 snaps. He caught the only pass targeted to him before the injury for 10 yards.
Offensive lineman Marcus McKethan didn’t play in the New York Giants’ 30–6 loss at Las Vegas. Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu is on injured reserve with a toe injury.
Offensive lineman Asim Richards played three special-teams snaps off the bench for Dallas in the Cowboys’ 28–23 loss at Philadelphia.
In the New York Jets’ 27–6 home loss Monday to the Los Angeles Chargers, Michael Carter caught all six passes targeted to him for 24 yards. Chazz Surratt wasn’t active for the game.
In Pittsburgh’s 20–16 home victory Thursday over Tennessee, linebacker Cole Holcomb suffered what reportedly is a season-ending left knee injury. For more on this, read this earlier Tar Heel Tribune story. Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play in the game.
UNC alums with the weekend off were Denver’s Javonte Williams and Detroit’s Antoine Green.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string WR behind Terry McLaurin
20–17 win at New England — 2 catches on 4 targets, 33 yards (19 longest), 16.5 average, 5.3 fantasy points; 23 offensive snaps (29%), 5 special-teams snaps (5%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 1 start; 8 catches, 120 yards (35 longest), 14.5 average; 1 rush, 0 yards
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Seattle, Fox
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string RB behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook
27–6 loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers — 6 catches on 6 targets, 24 yards (7 longest); 25 offensive snaps (31%)
Season statistics — 8 games, 8 carries, 38 yards (9 longest); 15 catches, 68 yards (10 longest)
Up next — 8:20 Sunday at Las Vegas, NBC
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Alexander Mattison
31–28 win at Atlanta — Played, but had no statistics; 21 special-teams snaps (64%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 8 carries, 42 yards (15 longest), 5.2 average; 5 catches, 43 yards (18 longest), 8.6 average; 3 kickoff returns, 82 yards (33 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 22 | 5–9, 171 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver ahead of Isaiah McKenzie
27–13 win at Carolina — Didn’t start; 1 catch on 1 target for 10 yards; left the game late in the second quarter with a knee injury; 12 offensive snaps (20%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts; 41 catches, 483 yards (59 longest), 2 TDs
Up next — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. New England in Frankfurt, Germany, NFL Network
Antoine Green, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–2, 199 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver behind Marvin Jones Jr.
Detroit had the weekend off.
Season statistics — 7 games, 1 catch, 2 targets, 2 yards
Up next — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 26 | 6–1, 240 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Listed, along with Kwon Alexander, as starting left inside linebacker
20–16 Thursday win vs. Tennessee — Started; 2 assists, hurried QB once; suffered a serious left knee injury in the final minute of the first quarter; 16 defensive snaps (22%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Season statistics — 8 games, 8 starts; 26 tackles, 22 assists, 4 tackles for losses, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery; 64 snaps (90%), 4 special-teams snaps (15%)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Green Bay, CBS
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Age 30 | 6–4, 221 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Listed as starting wide receiver ahead of KhaDarel Hodge
31–28 loss vs. Minnesota — 3 catches on 3 targets, 36 yards (18 longest), 12.0 average, 6.6 fantasy points; 14 offensive snaps (20%), 6 special-teams snaps (18%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 3 starts; 17 catches, 29 targets, 247 yards (45 longest), 3 catches of at least 20 yards, 1 catch of at least 40 yards; 1 special-teams tackle
Up next — 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Arizona, CBS
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 23 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
20–17 win at New England — Started; 29 of 45, 325 yards (36 longest), 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks for 17 yards, 84.0 passer rating, 5 carries, 27 yards (24 longest), 18.8 fantasy points; 78 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts; 235 of 353, 66.6%, 2,471 yards (41 longest), 14 touchdowns, 9 interceptions; 29 carries, 157 yards (24 longest), 1 touchdown
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Seattle, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Second string cornerback behind A.J. Terrell
31–28 loss vs. Minnesota — Played off the bench, no statistics; 20 defensive snaps (27%), 9 special-teams snaps (27%)
Season statistics — 8 games, 4 tackles, 3 assists, 11 punt returns, 67 yards (16 longest), 6 fair catches; 3 kickoff returns, 46 yards (19 longest), 15.3 average
Up next — 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Arizona, CBS
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Listed as starting left guard ahead of Andrus Peat
24–17 win vs. Chicago — Started at left guard; 63 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts; 430 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, Fox
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–7, 335 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as starting right guard ahead of Mark Glowinski
30–6 loss at Las Vegas — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 8 games, 5 starts; 382 offensive snaps, 21 special-teams snaps
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left guard behind Tyler Smith
28–23 loss at Philadelphia — Played off the bench; 3 special-teams snaps (12%)
Season statistics — 6 games; 32 offensive snaps, 24 special-teams snaps entering the weekend
Up next — 4:25 Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 200 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety behind Jimmie Ward
39–37 win vs. Tampa Bay — 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 tackle in punt coverage; 4 defensive snaps (6%), 9 special-teams snaps (27%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 12 tackles, 8 assists, 2 forced fumbles, 1 special-teams tackle
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 233 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string linebacker behind Quincy Williams
27–6 loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers — Not active for the game
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Up next — 8:20 Sunday at Las Vegas, NBC
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
20–16 Thursday win vs. Tennessee — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 2 games, 18 of 32, 156 yards (22 longest), 1 TD, 2 INTs; 3 rushes, 18 yards (8 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Green Bay, CBS
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 23 | 5–10, 220 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
Denver had the weekend off.
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts; 90 carries, 357 yards (21 longest), 3.9 average; 17 catches, 21 targets, 78 yards (17 longest), 1 TD; 2-point conversion run
Up next — 8:15 Monday at Buffalo, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
On PUP list
Houston left tackle Charlie Heck (undisclosed injury)
On injured reserve
New York Giants left tackle Joshua Ezeudu (toe injury)
On injured reserve
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (has played 1 game and recorded 1 tackle)
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Waived during training camp
Fullback Jake Bargas by New Orleans
Defensive back Myles Dorn by Miami
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by Arizona
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome by San Francisco
Nose tackle Raymond Vohasek by Jacksonville
Other free agents
Aaron Crawford, defensive tackle — Baltimore released him in training camp before last season; the New York Giants signed him Nov. 8 but released him the next day.
Jalen Dalton, defensive tackle — Atlanta waived him on June 7 (he had 8 tackles, 5 assists in 7 games for the Falcons last season), Carolina claimed him June 8 but waived him June 12 with a failed physical designation.
Jeremiah Gemmel, linebacker — San Francisco released him early last season, then Denver signed and later released him.
Bug Howard, tight end — Tampa Bay released him during training camp last season on an injury settlement. He signed with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars on Feb. 8 but they put him on the inactive list on March 19.
Austin Proehl, wide receiver — The New York Giants released him last season during training camp. He played this spring for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. In nine games, he caught 25 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown.
Robert Quinn, defensive tackle — His contract expired after finishing last season with Philadelphia. The 33-year-old veteran played 13 games, with seven starts, eight tackles (1 for a loss), two assists and one sack.
Jordan Tucker, defensive tackle — Pittsburgh released him during 2022 training camp. He signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in the offseason and didn’t make the roster in preseason but is back on their roster.
Antonio Williams, running back — He was briefly on the New York Giants’ practice squad last season but was released on Oct. 5. He signed on Feb. 13 with the CFL’s BC Lions, who released him on June 27.
Photo via @Commanders
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