The Commanders trailed 14-10 and had driven 75 yards to the Patriots’ five-yard line
On the previous play, a 3rd & 10 from the Pats’ 21, Sam Howell had completed a 16-yard pass to Byron Pringle.
With 23 seconds remaining, rather than call a timeout, Commanders QB Sam Howell appeared perhaps to be rushed in his mind because when he rolled right, he had plenty of time to throw away the ball, stop the clock, and run another play on second down.
However, Howell forced a horrible interception to the Pats’ Kyle Dugger in the end zone. The Commanders not only did not take the lead, they didn’t score at all, going to the locker room still down 14-10.
You can’t do this if you’re Sam Howell
Kyle Dugger interception
Commanders: 10
Patriots: 14 pic.twitter.com/qgp0wSWgJd— B (@AllISeeIsLegacy) November 5, 2023
Howell was asked Wednesday how he prepared for the second half following the horrible interception.
“Honestly, you don’t really have a choice but to just get over it. Obviously, it was a devastating play at the time and, like I said after the game, probably one of the worst plays in my career. But, at the end of the day, we’re still down at halftime and still have a football game to win. Everyone around me did a good job just trying to pick me back up. I just relied on my teammates and tried to go back out there in the second half and make up for it.”
Howell realizes though he has grown, there is still much he is learning to improve.
“I think, for the most part, I’m getting the ball out on time, and I’m getting the ball out to the right guy. So, just got to try to continue to get better. There’s little things every week that I’m always trying to improve on and just trying to fix those things going into this week.”
Howell is aware that he and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are becoming more in sync with each other during games.
“I think we’re getting better each and every week, and I think he’s calling some really good games, and he’ll continue to do that.”
“I think that unit up front is starting to gel together, and they put together two really good games. I think we’re just coming together as a whole on offense, and I think we’ve truly built an identity now on offense, and I think that’s helping everybody out. I’m getting the ball out faster, we’re doing some things to get the ball out on the perimeter quick to try to keep those defensive linemen from rushing up-field every time.”