Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell a Challenge for New England Patriots?
When New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick began talking about the Washington Commanders, he used the phrase "unfamiliar," as the last meeting between the two teams came in 2019.
Much has changed since - Washington has a new team name, owner and coach, among several other things. New England no longer has Tom Brady under center.
There's also a new quarterback for the Commanders - second-year pro Sam Howell, who's thrown for 2,146 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 66.9 percent of his passes ... and impressed Belichick in the process.
"He didn't play much last year, but he's having a really productive year this year," Belichick said. "He's athletic. He can run. He's tough. He's not a big guy, but he's a tough guy. He can scramble, make yards on his own. I wouldn't say he's just 'take off and run'. He's got the second or third most pass attempts in the league – whatever it is, it's a lot."
The 23-year-old Howell debuted for Washington in last season's finale and was handed the keys to the offense this summer. He hasn't looked back since, and starred last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 397 yards and four touchdowns.
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yards.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
It hasn't all been pretty, as Howell's tossed eight interceptions, tied for second most in the league, and been sacked a league-high 41 times.
But Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022 who stands 6-1, 220 pounds, has bounced back each time.
"He's been hit, gets up, shows good toughness, really competitive guy," Belichick said. "They've been in a lot of close games. He's made some big plays for them. For a young guy, we didn't see him play last year, but this year, he's done a good job for them."
Belichick added that Howell uses everybody in passing game, only raising the challenges for New England's defense.
But Howell, for his part, knows the challenge is just as great for he and the rest of the Commanders' offense ahead of his first matchup against Belichick.
"It's a fun opportunity," Howell said, "and it's a cool opportunity for us and our offense to go against a good defense, obviously coached by Coach Belichick, and he's done a really good job throughout his career and there's a reason he's talked about the way he's talked about."
The Patriots are set to host the Commanders at 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Gillette Stadium.
