Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell couldn’t have asked for a better NFL debut. In addition to leading Washington to a 26-6 blowout win over the rival Dallas Cowboys, Howell looked good throwing the football and running the football in the win.
Overall, Howell passed for 169 yards with a touchdown and interception and rushed for 35 yards and another score. His first NFL passing attempt was a 16-yarder to No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin to give the Commanders a 7-0 lead, which they’d never relinquish.
Of Howell’s 19 pass attempts, only one was truly a questionable decision, his interception in the end zone.
What was Howell’s best throw of the day?
His 52-yard completion to McLaurin which set up another Washington score in the second half. Check it out.
What a throw 💥
What a catch 💥📺 #DALvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/yNoqoOCtO6
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 8, 2023
According to Next Gen Stats, the pass only had a 20% completion probability, but a perfect throw from Howell allowed his Pro Bowl wideout to do the rest.
Even more from Next Gen Stats, the 52-yard completion traveled 60 yards in the air and was the longest completion, via air yards, by a Washington passer in the Next Gen Stats era [2016].
Sam Howell & Terry McLaurin (52-yd reception)
🔸 Air Distance: 60.0 yds*
🔸 Target Separation: 0.9 yds
🔸 Completion Probability: 20.2%*Longest completion by a Washington quarterback in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016)#DALvsWAS #HTTC pic.twitter.com/TqojNWYGRl
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 8, 2023
Washington will head into the offseason in search of yet another quarterback, but perhaps the Commanders shouldn’t necessarily shut the door on Howell. Of course, much of that depends on who head coach Ron Rivera hires as the next offensive coordinator.
