How will Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell respond against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4?
In his fourth NFL start last week, Howell was sacked nine times and threw four interceptions. It was a brutal day for the second-year quarterback, who stood in front of the media after the game and took responsibility for the loss.
Buy Commanders TicketsAnyone who watched Washington’s 37-3 loss to the Bills last week would tell you Howell played terribly. At the same time, it was clear it wasn’t all Howell’s fault. The offensive line struggled to protect him, the playcalling never adjusted to Buffalo’s pressure and the receivers weren’t always creating separations, something Terry McLaurin alluded to after the game.
During his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Howell again took responsibility for his performance.
“Yeah, I mean, I just think I gotta do a better job overall just getting the ball out,” Howell said. “And the offensive line, they’re doing a good job, and it’s not gonna be perfect every single time, and it’s my job to get the ball out before I get hit.”
Howell wasn’t interested in excuses.
“I don’t make any excuses for myself,” he continued. “I expect to play much better than I played on Sunday, and my teammates and this organization deserve for me to play better than I played on Sunday, and I just got to do a better job. I can’t go out there and make the excuse that I’m young because the teams we’re playing, they don’t care. The scoreboard doesn’t care.”
That’s a very mature response from Howell. And that response impressed McLaurin, courtesy of Scott Abraham of ABC 7.
“Sam is somebody who always from his mistakes since he’s taken over at the quarterback position,” McLaurin said. “He’s a student of the game, which I’ve always admired about him, especially at such a young age.”
McLaurin is encouraged but realizes Howell needs help from all of his teammates.
“Usually, when somebody is taking that kind of accountability, it means they really care, and they’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure that stuff doesn’t happen again, and it’s on us to rally around him.”
Howell has said all of the right things. He practiced well last week, according to those around him. But the real test is how will he respond on the road against the defending NFC champions.
Whether the Commanders win or not on Sunday, Washington needs to see progress from Howell. That will go a long way in the team’s belief in him moving forward.
Terry McLaurin is a strong believer in Sam Howell.
Terry told me, "Usually when somebody is taking that kind of accountability it means they really care and they're going to do whatever it takes to make sure that stuff doesn't happen again and it's on us to rally around him." pic.twitter.com/q4z8wq7csU
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 27, 2023
