“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Washington 26, Dallas 6 – Week 18, January 8, 2023
Sam Howell’s first NFL pass was a 16-yard touchdown to Terry McLaurin, and the Commanders proceeded to handily defeat the Dallas Cowboys 26-6 at FedEx Field in Landover.
Howell saw his first NFL action and made his first start because quarterback Taylor Heinicke apparently made it clear to head coach Ron Rivera that the wisest move to make was to start Heinicke.
Originally during the week, Rivera had announced Heinicke would again start, and Sam Howell would also see his first NFL action. Whatever Heinicke said, Rivera changed his mind, giving Howell the nod.
Kendall Fuller intercepted Dak Prescott, and his 29-yard return for a touchdown gave the Commanders a 13-0 second-quarter lead.
Leading 13-6 in the third quarter, Howell scored from 9 yards out, and the Washington lead was extended to 20-6.
In the final quarter, kicker Joey Slye added two field goals of 29 and 22 yards, providing the final score of 26-6.
With a 12-4 record, compared to the Commanders 7-8-1, the Cowboys were a strong road-team favorite by -7 points.
But the Cowboys seemed largely disinterested and did not play with much emotion at all, watching the scoreboard, seeing the Eagles were wrapping up the division with their final win over the Giants.
Washington out-rushed the Cowboys 151-64, and Howell completed 11 of his 19 attempts for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jaret Patterson led Washington runners with 78 yards on his 17 carries. McLaurin and Jahan Dotson both had three receptions for 74 and 72 yards, respectively.
Following the game, Rivera communicated to his wife on the way home that he previously had no idea Howell could be that good so quickly. Sure enough, in the offseason, Rivera wasted no time talking up Howell as Washington’s QB1.
