SEATTLE – While it’s still unknown what Sam Howell will become as an NFL quarterback, it’s starting to become apparent that he’s not afraid of big moments. Unfortunately, Washington simply couldn’t make consistent stops or move the ball well enough, resulting in a 29-26 loss to the Seahawks.
Trailing 26-19 with about a minute left, Howell made his best throw of the day with a 35-yard touchdown connection to Dyami Brown that ended the game. It was the type of throw that elevates a quarterback’s reputation around the league, and for Howell, that arrow continues to point upward.
That left the Seahawks with too much time, and QB Geno Smith led a seven-play, 50-yard drive for the game-winning field goal that left Washington’s defense shredded like deli meat.
Howell played well throughout the game, but for most of the contest Washington couldn’t get anything done on the field. All of his big plays were limited to dump-offs to running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, who then broke tackles for big gains.
Defensively, the Commanders’ pass rush was largely non-existent in the first half, but was much better in the second half. Seahawks QB Geno Smith passed for over 300 yards and threw two touchdowns.
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, the Washington defense was particularly hard-pressed in a tied duel. Over the course of four games, cornerback Benjamin St. Juste was charged with two brutal penalties. The first – a questionable pass interference call – came on 4th down that would have sent the Seattle offense off the field.
The second, a straightforward face mask, gave the Seahawks possession at the Washington 4-yard line. Two plays later, Seattle wide receiver Tyler Lockett caught a touchdown pass. Who was insured? St. Juste.
Towards the end of the game, Washington got another chance to score the equalizer but failed. Throughout the game, the Commanders appeared to rely overly on the aerial attack and refrained from running the ball, save for a very effective scoring drive in the fourth quarter that showcased Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.
Before this drive, the run/pass disparity was significant. At halftime, Washington had only run the ball five times while Seattle had 12 runs. And it wasn’t like the Seahawks were relying on the run: Geno Smith had 23 pass attempts at halftime, more than Howell. But it seemed like Washington wasn’t even in danger of a running game.
There was a lot of action early in the game, and not just because of Robinson’s great catch and score. Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes was ejected from the game after just five minutes for a helmet-on-helmet hit.
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Forbes’ actions clearly warranted the punishment. The hit was high. But the sputum? A rookie who hardly has a reputation for playing overly physical football? In the first five minutes of the game? A questionable decision to say the least.
Washington is now 4-6, and while the team may have finally found an answer at quarterback, the questions remain significant for the rest of the roster, staff and front office.