Sam Howell’s 2023 preseason debut got off to a rough start, in large part due to two penalties by the Commanders’ offensive line.
But on Washington’s third series, Howell displayed some of the traits that have him in a position to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Howell finished the night 9-of-12 passing for 77 yards with a touchdown, good for a 119.1 passer rating. He also had an 8-yard carry.
On Washington’s first drive, Howell hit John Bates in the hands with a deep pass down the right side but the tight end dropped it. But offensive lineman Andrew Wylie was flagged for holding, so the play wouldn’t have counted even if he’d caught it. That flag put the Commanders behind the chains and an eventual third-and-30 play came up well short.
Howell and Washington’s offense then got the ball at their 5-yard line when Cleveland failed to score on fourth-and-goal from the 1. But Wylie was flagged for holding in the end zone on third down, which resulted in a safety.
Finally, things got going on the Commanders’ third drive, highlighted by a pair of big throws. On fourth-and-3 from Cleveland’s 39, Howell got flushed out of the pocket to his right and fired a strike to tight end Cole Turner for a 13-yard gain. And on the next play, Howell hit Jahan Dotson with a pass down the left side that the receiver turned into a 26-yard touchdown. Dotson needed two tries to catch it, but reeled it in and went 7 yards for the score.
It was a 10-play, 80-yard drive that concluded Howell’s night on a positive note.