The Philadelphia Eagles survived a scare from a fellow divisional rival Sunday afternoon, squeaking past the Washington Commanders in overtime, 34-31, thanks to a Jake Elliott field goal and rock-solid defense.
It appeared the Eagles were going to lock this game up in regulation, as wide receiver A.J. Brown caught a go-ahead touchdown with just under two minutes remaining in the game.
Then came a young man named Sam Howell, the former UNC quarterback who’s now slinging the rock in Washington.
After last week’s 4-interception performance against the Buffalo Bills, how would Howell respond against an equally-tough Eagles defense?
The exact way his team needed him to.
With the Commanders down 31-24 in the waning moments of Sunday’s AFC East clash, Howell marched them right down the field. He capped off a 10-play, 64-yard, game-tying drive by hitting Jahan Dotson in the end zone as time expired. Former ACC kicker Joey Slye (Virginia Tech) sent things into overtime by nailing the extra point.
Washington won the opening coin toss in overtime and elected to receive, but couldn’t muster much offense against the stout Eagles defense.
Howell looked a lot more like the guy Washington drafted to be its franchise quarterback on Sunday. He showed poise in the pocket, didn’t get happy feet when facing pressure and found open receivers, even in tight windows.
The final stat line? 29 completed passes, 290 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers, a far cry from last week’s 4-interception dud.
Philadelphia rules the NFC East and the Dallas Cowboys are right behind them, but if Howell keeps playing like he did Sunday, Washington has a chance to beat anyone. That includes the defending NFC Champions.
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