Through three NFL starts, former UNC record-setting quarterback Sam Howell sat a perfect 3-0 for the Washington Commanders.
A fifth-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft, Howell had impressive wins against the Dallas Cowboys (Week 18 last year), Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos in his first three NFL starts. Howell totaled two touchdowns in his first 2023 start, finding Brian Robinson with his arm and the end zone again with his legs.
Washington welcomed the Buffalo Bills to FedEx Field in Week 3, with the opportunity to make a statement against one of the league’s top defenses.
Instead, the Bills bullied Howell and intercepted him four times in a dominating, 37-3 Bills victory.
This type of game was uncharacteristic for Howell, even at a level where quarterbacks are challenged significantly more. UNC’s best quarterback in the past decade entered the Commanders-Bills game with 501 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns and just one interception in the 2023 season.
Buffalo, however, has stars everywhere on defense. The Bills sport arguably the league’s best safety tandem in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, plus one of the top cornerbacks in Tre’Davious White. Matt Milano and Leonard Floyd are two of the NFL’s top linebackers, while Ed Oliver is a force along the defensive line.
Bills backup linebacker AJ Epenesa took a fourth-quarter Howell pass 32 yards to the end zone on Sunday. White, Hyde and starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard also recorded interceptions.
Howell faces another top-ranked defense this coming Sunday, a test some might say is more daunting than Buffalo, as the Commanders travel north and take on the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East clash.
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