By R.L. Bynum
Sam Howell finished an up-and-down season as the first Washington quarterback to start every game since Kirk Cousins in 2017, with a league-high 21 interceptions and likely competition for the job next season.
Offseason Commanders changes started Monday with the team firing Coach Ron Rivera.
Howell was 19 of 27 for 153 yards, one touchdown for a 65.8 passer rating in a 38–10 home loss to Dallas and threw two interceptions to give him 12 in the past seven games, at least one in each of those contests.
Howell and former UNC teammate Dyami Brown connected on a pass, but not like usual. Brown threw a pass to Howell for a four-yard gain.
He threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Brian Robinson Jr. on a fourth-and-goal play to tie the game at the start of the second quarter.
Dallas offensive lineman Asim Richards played 15 total snaps.
The only UNC alums whose teams made the playoffs are Antoine Green’s Detroit Lions, who host the Los Angeles Rams at 8:15 Sunday (NBC), Charlie Heck’s Houston Texans, who host Cleveland at 4:20 Saturday (NBC), Richards’ Dallas Cowboys, who host Green Bay at 4:30 Sunday (Fox) and Mitch Trubisky’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who are at Buffalo at 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS.)
Ty Chandler had another productive day for the Vikings (who finished 7–10) with 69 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving in Minnesota’s 30–20 loss at Detroit. Green had no statistics in 10 offensive snaps for Detroit.
Josh Downs finished his rookie season at Indianapolis with three catches for 48 yards, three punt returns for 25 yards and two kickoff returns for 24 yards as the Colts finished 9–8 with a 23–19 home loss to Houston.
Heck started at right tackle and played 33 offensive snaps and four special-teams snaps for the Texans.
Javonte Williams ran for 32 yards and had seven catches for 43 yards as Denver finished 8–9 after a 27–14 Sunday loss at Las Vegas.
Michael Carter only played nine snaps in Arizona’s 21–20 home loss to Seattle, getting four carries for 17 yards and one catch for two yards.
James Hurst started at left guard in New Orleans’ 48–17 home win over Atlanta to finish 9–8. He played all 67 offensive snaps, eight special-teams snaps and recovered a fumble. For the Falcons, who finished 7–10, Mike Hughes started at cornerback and had two tackles. Mack Hollins had one assist.
Monday, the Falcons fired Coach Arthur Smith, a former UNC player.
Marcus McKethan played five offensive snaps and six special-teams snaps in the New York Giants’ 27–10 home win over Philadelphia to finish 6–11.
Chazz Surratt had one tackle on kickoff coverage and played 23 special-teams snaps in the New York Jets’ 17–3 Sunday win at New England to finish 7–10.
Trubisky didn’t play in the Steelers’ 17–10 Saturday win at Baltimore.
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
38–10 Sunday loss vs. Dallas — 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating; 7 offensive snaps (14%), 12 special-teams snaps (55%)
Season statistics — 17 games, 1 start; 12 catches, 164 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards; 1 assist; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams assist; 1 of 1 passing, 4 yards, 83.3 passer rating
Season over — The Commanders finished 4–13.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Competing for time with James Conner, Earl Demercado and Keaontay Ingram
21–20 Sunday loss vs. Seattle