The Washington Commanders had about the worst first half imaginable in Sunday’s 30-28 loss to the New York Jets. Washington was dropping passes, quarterback Sam Howell was struggling, the offensive line had its issues, the defense was terrible, and, well, does that cover everything?
Oh, the special teams certainly weren’t special, and no one can blame Camaron Cheeseman this time.
Ultimately, Washington coach Ron Rivera benched Howell for the second consecutive week. Just as he did last week, Jacoby Brissett came into the game and instantly had the Commanders moving. Brissett led an impressive comeback to give Washington a late lead, but ultimately, Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein drilled a 54-yard field goal, and the Commanders dropped their sixth in a row.
Twitter — or X — was full of emotions on Sunday. There were many Washington fans wanting a loss while still aggravated by such an ugly performance. Some were mad at Howell; others were simply just enjoying the final few weeks of Rivera’s product.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions from Sunday’s Week 16 loss to the Jets.
The first half
Update from the Xmas horror show at Metlife:
*Drop
*Interception
*Sack
*Penalty on punt
*Blocked punt
*Jets RZ touchdown
*Fumble (recovered) on kickoff
*Another penalty on a punt
*Jets 36-yard TD— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 24, 2023
The first 3 plays weren't on Howell; they're on his pass-catchers.
*Curtis Samuel has to catch the first one
*Logan Thomas's lost control of the second one and the ball fell into the arms of Tony Adams.
*And Jahan Dotson tripped on his route on the third play.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 24, 2023
I have covered this very silly football team since 2015. No single play will ever top Cousins kneeling in Philly in ‘15, but this has got to be the dumbest game I’ve ever watched. What an unmitigated disaster.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) December 24, 2023
Nah this shit hilarious lol
— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) December 24, 2023
Ron Rivera
I hate Ron Rivera. I’ll never forgive him.
— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) December 24, 2023
I think Ron Rivera has broke Sam Howell. He ruined him this year. Let him rest and let the next coaching staff see if they can get him back on track. #HTTC
— True Commandalorian (@Commandalorian1) December 24, 2023
Y’all came on this app and tried to mock me for saying…
“The best QB should play”
I never had a dog in the fight, just wanted what’s best for the team.
Ultimately this falls at the feet of Ron Rivera.
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) December 24, 2023
Is Forbes even playing today? Or is Ron Rivera failing as a coach again? #HTTC
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) December 24, 2023
This was Ron Rivera’s lifeline
pic.twitter.com/Ez29yvv6ih— Paul🅿️🎄 (@blakebooming) December 24, 2023
Ron Rivera had a great tight end In Carolina (Greg Olsen), a great quarterback (Cam Newton) and a great linebacker (Luke Kuechly). He has found none of those in four years in Washington #Commanders
— thom loverro (@thomloverro) December 24, 2023
More on Rivera
LETS GO! FU Ron Rivera for trying to fuck over the Comamnders one more time on his way out.
— Zac (@DCzWall) December 24, 2023
Just wrapping my head around how crazy this turn of events has been over the past two weeks:
Ron Rivera won't be here next season but he has made it extremely likely that Sam Howell won't be the starter next year by benching him in each of the last two games.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 24, 2023
Ron Rivera will go down as the worst QB talent evaluator of all time. @DeclassifiedWft @MisterWhoo1 pic.twitter.com/ge1QDIiZXG
— David Riedman (@david_riedman) December 24, 2023
Ron Rivera literally wasted 4 years of our fandom…
— ~15 days of pedaling left… (@Colkilla1) December 24, 2023
Just a look of utter bewilderment. The Ron Rivera tenure in one photo. pic.twitter.com/8rBZzqBO7K
— Jon Simkins (@jon_simkins) December 24, 2023
Sam Howell
I think Ron Rivera has broke Sam Howell. He ruined him this year. Let him rest and let the next coaching staff see if they can get him back on track. #HTTC
— True Commandalorian (@Commandalorian1) December 24, 2023
Should we put Sam Howell back in the game? The team needs to lose. pic.twitter.com/XBvn1yjK1A
— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) December 24, 2023
Poor Sam Howell dude.. Eric Bieniemy fuckin sucks at play calling.. making wide outs go 15 yards knowing our fuckin line sucks. EB sucks and you guys can’t tell me different
— The Cali Commander (@CommanderCali) December 24, 2023
We’ve officially broken Sam Howell. He mighta been the guy at one point, but it’s over.
— Dom and Pop DC Sports Talk + (@DCSportsPlus) December 24, 2023
Sam Howell when he’s not playing the Eaglespic.twitter.com/T85aABrqvc
— 🏴☠️𝓣𝔀𝓸𝓦𝓪𝔂𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓲⚡️ (@TwoWayShai) December 24, 2023
I feel for Sam Howell. He's in quick sand at this point. He's better than he's playing but the walls are caving in around him and he seems to need a reset at this point.
Easy to forget that he was doing some really good things earlier in the year.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 24, 2023
Zuerlein's kick helping the Commanders in the draft order
Me if I ever cross paths with Greg Zuerlein pic.twitter.com/K0Z6YByoSN
— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) December 24, 2023
Here is Greg Zuerlein's charity page. He has a "kick cancer" mission that he does. Perhaps you could send a nice Christmas bonus on his behalf for helping brighten WSH's future with his big boot. https://t.co/ycmsNBqb1u
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 24, 2023
Greatest players in NFL history ranked:
1. Tom Brady
2. Lawrence Taylor
3. Greg Zuerlein— Eric Sully (@CommandersRealm) December 24, 2023
Greg Zuerlein will never have to buy a drink in the DMV region again.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) December 24, 2023
GREG ZUERLEIN DRINKS FREE IN ASHBURN TONIGHT! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
— michael phillips (@michaelpinRVA) December 24, 2023
Greg Zuerlein just saved #Christmas !! J-E-T-S, #Jets, Jets, Jets!!! pic.twitter.com/hZkXmHUs8v
— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) December 24, 2023
#Commanders game ball — Greg Zuerlein
— thom loverro (@thomloverro) December 24, 2023
Yes!!!!! I love you Greg Zuerlein!
— KyleSmith4GM (@Smith4Gm) December 24, 2023
I am literally going to buy a Greg Zuerlein jersey.
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) December 24, 2023