By R.L. Bynum
Trailing 18 points in the first half, Sam Howell rallied the Washington Commanders to victory and showed the league his poise, accuracy and arm strength.
Howell made a terrific pinpoint throw into double coverage to the end zone in the third quarter for a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to tie the game early in the second half. Washington held on for a 35–33 victory Sunday at Denver when a Broncos two-point conversion play that would have tied it failed on an incomplete pass by former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson.
Howell is 3–0 as an NFL starter, and Washington is 2–0 for the first time in 12 years. Howell is the first Washington quarterback to win his first three career starts since 1987.
“It was ugly early, but we had each other’s back, and we just stayed the course,” Howell said in a postgame CBS television interview after his first career road start. “That’s what good teams do.”
Howell was 29 of 39 for 299 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 108.8 passer rating, throwing to 10 receivers.
“Man, I’ve said it before, and I’ve been saying it since camp,” left tackle Charles Leno Jr. told The Washington Post. “He’s unfazed. He’s always the same. Good play. Bad play. Doesn’t matter.”
After Dyami Brown wasn’t targeted for any passes in Week 1, he caught all three passes targeted to him for 26 yards, including a nine-yard reception.
Denver running back Javonte Wiliams had 12 carries for 44 yards and two catches for 14 yards.
Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan both got their first career starts, playing on the New York Giants’ offensive line as they rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to win on the road against the Arizona Cardinals 31–28.
The Giants’ first lead of the season came when former Carolina Panthers place-kicker Graham Gano kicked the game-winning 34-yard field goal in the final minute.
Ezeudu filled in for injured All-Pro Andrew Thomas (hamstring) at left tackle. His one blip was a false-start penalty.
McKethan, who missed his rookie season with a torn ACL, only got in for two special-teams plays in Week 1. He is still listed as third string but started because Mark Glowinski got benched after getting one of the worst pass-block grades in the league during Week 1.
Safety M.J. Stewart Jr., who turned 28 on Saturday, had his best game in two seasons, with team-highs of six tackles and four assists in Houston’s 31–21 home loss to Indianapolis. It was the six-year veteran’s best game since collecting eight tackles and three assists for Cleveland in 2021 against Las Vegas.
With usual starting safeties Jimmie Ward (hip injury) and Jalen Pitre (bruised lung) out, Stewart got his first start of the season, and Eric Murray started for the second consecutive week.
“I don’t think we missed a beat with either of those guys playing,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “We felt confident in that. The players feel confident in those guys going out there. That didn’t affect us at all. I don’t think we blinked.”
Stewart made an immediate impact, forcing Michael Pittman to fumble after a reception on the game’s first play. The ball went out of bounds, though.
Stewart’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Anthony Richardson as he scored his second touchdown led the rookie Colts quarterback to leave with a concussion after playing two more series.
For the victorious Colts, rookie wide receiver Josh Downs came off the bench after starting in Week 1. He had four catches on five targets for 37 yards, including a 12-yard reception.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins, who turned 30 Saturday, started for Atlanta after coming off the bench in Week 1 as the Falcons rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 25–24 home win over Green Bay.
Hollins caught 3 of 6 passes targeted to him for 60 yards. He appeared to catch a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone, but a replay review determined he didn’t get both heels inbounds.
His 45-yard reception early in the fourth quarter led to a touchdown that cut Atlanta’s lead to five points.
Mike Hughes returned kicks for the Falcons after not playing in Week 1 and played a little at cornerback. He returned two punts for 20 yards and one kickoff for 19 yards.
After not playing in Week 1, rookie Antoine Green made his NFL debut in Detroit’s 37–31 overtime home loss to Seattle. He caught the only pass targeted to him for two yards but is in concussion protocol.
In Minnesota’s 34–28 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday, Ty Chandler only played seven snaps, with one rush for no yards and two catches on two targets for nine yards.
New York Jets running back Michael Carter was again lightly used. He had two carries for eight yards and one catch on two targets for three yards in the Jets’ 30–10 loss at Dallas. Offensive lineman Asim Richards played off the bench for the Cowboys. Chazz Surratt played off the bench for New York and had no statistics.
James Hurst made his second consecutive start at left guard for New Orleans as the Saints won at Carolina 20–17 on Monday night.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb had a good game with three tackles, five assists and a fourth-quarter forced fumble in Pittsburgh’s 26–22 home win Monday night over Cleveland. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play.
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
35–33 win at Denver — 3 catches, 3 targets, 26 yards (9 longest); 23 offensive snaps (32%), 10 special-teams snaps (33%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 catches, 3 targets, 26 yards (9 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
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
30–10 loss at Dallas — 2 carries, 8 yards (6 longest); 1 catch, 2 targets, 3 yards; 15 offensive snaps (32%), 5 special-teams snaps (18%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 carries, 14 yards (6 longest); 3 catches, 4 targets, 15 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New England, CBS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Third-string RB behind Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu
34–28 loss Thursday at Philadelphia — 1 rush, 0 yards; 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards (5 longest); 7 offensive snaps (12%), 2.0 fantasy points
Season statistics — 2 games, 4 carries, 0 yards; 3 catches, 27 yards (18 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota, 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
31–21 win at Houston — Didn’t start; 4 catches on 5 targets, 37 yards (12 longest), 7.7 fantasy points; 43 offensive snaps (75%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; 7 catches, 67 yards (22 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 308 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as second-string right guard behind Mark Glowinski
31–28 win at Arizona — Started at left tackle; 68 offensive snaps (100%); 5 special-teams snaps (18%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; played 82 offensive snaps and 7 special-teams snaps
Up next — 8:15 Thursday at San Francisco, Prime Video
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.
37–31 OT loss vs. Seattle — 1 catch, 1 target, 2 yards; 7 offensive snaps (11%), 8 special-teams snaps (29%)
Season statistics — 1 game, 1 catch, 1 target, 2 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 26 | 6–1, 240 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker ahead of Kwon Alexander
26–22 Monday win vs. Cleveland — Started; 3 tackles, 5 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 forced fumble; 78 defensive snaps (90%), 5 special-teams snaps (16%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 5 tackles, 7 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 forced fumble
Up next after Browns game — 8:20 Sunday at Las Vegas, NBC
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Age 30 | 6–4, 221 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver ahead of KhaDarel Hodge
25–24 win vs. Green Bay — Started; 3 catches, 6 targets, 60 yards (45 longest), 9.0 fantasy points; 58 offensive snaps (71%); 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; 6 catches, 10 targets, 91 yards (45 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Detroit, Fox
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 23 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
35–33 win at Denver — Started; 27 of 39, 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 108.8 passer rating; 2 carries, 13 yards (11 longest); 73 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 46 of 70, 501 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 4 carries, 24 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Second string cornerback behind A.J. Terrell
25–24 win vs. Green Bay — 2 punt returns, 20 yards (16 longest), 1 fair catch; 1 kickoff return, 19 yards; 1 defensive snap (2%), 9 special-teams snaps (33%)
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 punt returns, 20 yards (16 longest), 1 fair catch; 1 kickoff return, 19 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Detroit, Fox
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Starting left guard ahead of Andrus Peat
20–17 win at Carolina — Started at left guard; 77 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 142 snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Green Bay, Fox
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–7, 335 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as third-string right tackle behind Evan Neal and Matt Pearl
31–28 win at Arizona — Started; 68 offensive snaps (100%), 5 special-teams snaps (18%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start; 68 offensive snaps, 7 special-teams snaps
Up next — 8:15 Thursday at San Francisco, Prime Video
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 22 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left guard behind Tyler Smith
30–10 win vs. New York Jets — Played off the bench; 5 offensive snaps (6%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%)
Season statistics — 2 games; 14 offensive snaps, 6 special-teams snaps
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Arizona, 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
31–21 loss vs. Indianapolis — Started; team-high 6 tackles, team-high 4 assists, 1 forced fumble, 10.0 fantasy points; 57 defensive snaps (100%), 9 special-teams snaps (31%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, 2 forced fumbles
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, Fox
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 233 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string linebacker behind C.J. Mosley/Quincy Williams
30–10 loss at Dallas — Played off the bench; 4 defensive snaps (5%), 19 special-teams snaps (68%)
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New England, CBS
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
26–22 Monday win vs. Cleveland — Didn’t play
Season statistics — Hasn’t played.
Up next after Browns game — 8:20 Sunday at Las Vegas, NBC
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
35–33 loss vs. Washington — Started; 12 carries, 44 yards (15 longest); 2 catches, 3 targets, 14 yards (9 longest); 30 offensive snaps (45%)
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts; 25 carries 96 yards (15 longest); 6 catches, 9 targets, 19 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, CBS
On PUP list
Houston left tackle Charlie Heck (undisclosed injury)
On practice squads
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Atlanta linebacker Andre Smith
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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