The Washington Commanders trailed entering the fourth quarter of today’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, playing without star quarterback Kyler Murray.
To make matters more frustrating, Washington was playing host in front of a packed FedEx Field.
All those frustrations were quickly thrown out the window, thanks to Commanders quarterback and former UNC star Sam Howell.
On third-and-goal, just over three minutes into the final quarter of play, Howell took off after being unable to find an open receiver. He ran by a pursuer, cut inside towards the right, then rocketed the ball at the end zone wall upon scoring and tying things up at 16.
Back on top thanks to this @Sam7Howell scamper
đź“ş #ARIvsWAS | FOX | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/pXIx6WCMyM
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2023
The fire displayed by Howell, after this touchdown, is exactly the type of emotion Washington envisioned when they selected Howell in the fifth round of last year’s NFL Draft.
Howell was also responsible for the Commanders’ first touchdown, tossing a throw – on the run – to Brian Robinson getting behind the Cardinal defense. Howell ended his afternoon with 202 passing yards, a touchdown and interception on 19-of-31 passing.
Not a bad day for the second-year man out of Carolina in his first full season as an NFL starting quarterback. If Howell plays like this every Sunday and continues growing into his role, Washington could be a surprise team in the NFC this year.
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