The Washington Commanders suffered their first defeat of the 2023 season Sunday in an ugly and embarrassing 37-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
If not for a last-second field goal from kicker Joey Slye, the Commanders would have been shut out for the first time since a 9-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Oct. 2019.
Washington quarterback Sam Howell completed 19 of 28 passes for 170 yards but was intercepted four times and sacked nine times.
The game started on a positive note for the Commanders, after holding the Bills to a field goal on their opening possession, Howell led the offense on a promising drive deep into Buffalo territory.
Unfortunately, that’s when everything fell apart for Washington. Howell was sacked on back-to-back plays before he was intercepted on third down at the Buffalo 16-yard line. That proved to be the beginning of the end for Howell and the Commanders.
Howell was under heavy duress throughout the game, pressured in over 70% of his dropbacks. Washington turned the ball over three times in Bills’ territory, as cornerback Tre’Davious White picked off Howell at the one-yard line in the second half, ending another drive.
Late in the fourth quarter, running back Antonio Gibson fumbled in Buffalo territory, but the game was long over by that point.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 20 of 32 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. Running back James Cook rushed for 98 yards to lead the Bills, who ran for 168 yards as a team.
The story of Sunday’s game was the offensive ineptitude of Washington. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 70 yards, averaging seven yards per attempt, but had just 10 attempts. It was a bad day all around for the offense, from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to Howell and the offensive line.
The Commanders are back on the road against the Eagles next week.