'Dude's Ballin'!' Washington Commanders Notebook: 3 Takeaways on Sam Howell & Seattle Seahawks Loss

'Dude's Ballin'!' Washington Commanders Notebook: 3 Takeaways on Sam Howell & Seattle Seahawks Loss

Much like they have for most of the season, the Washington Commanders in Sunday's Week 10 fought until the game's waning moments. 

And much like they have through this season, the Commanders fell just short. Washington (4-6) lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-26 on a game-winning 43-yard field goal from Jason Myers on Sunday at Lumen Field. 

While the loss dealt a blow to the Commanders' bleak playoff hopes, there were plenty of positives to take away from them going toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NFC. 

Here are three takeaways from Washington's nail-biting loss to the Seahawks (6-3). 

Sam Howell Solidifying Himself:

If nothing else, the emergence of Sam Howell as a potential franchise quarterback is a huge step in the right direction for the Commanders and their seemingly never-ending search for someone at the game's most important position. 

Howell turned in one of the best performances of his career, completing 29 of 44 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. What makes the performance even more impressive is he did it in one of the toughest environments for an opposing quarterback. 

Sam Howell 'Put Commanders in Position to Win'

Howell consistently used his legs to buy time and find open receivers throughout the day. Among his stellar performance was a game-tying driving that ended with Howell finding Dyami Brown for a 35-yard touchdown with under a minute left to play. 

"Dude's ballin',' said admiring teammate Sam Cosmi.

If nothing else, Howell has proved himself to be more than adequate, and for the Commanders, they should be more than enough given their quarterback woes in recent years.

Sam Howell has thrown eight touchdowns in his last three games / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs Stepping Up:

The Commanders' running backs put together one of the best performances from the unit in recent memory on Sunday. Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson accounted for two of Washington's three touchdowns.

Robinson had six catches for 119 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown, while Gibson caught five passes for 42 yards and had a game-tying 18-yard touchdown with eight minutes left to play. 

While the running game leaves something to be desired, Robinson and Gibson's emergence as dangerous threats in the passing game will add another dimension to an offense starting to find its stride. 

Defense Needs Difference-Makers:

Heading into the season, it seemed like the defense would have to carry the offense while Howell found his footing as the starting quarterback. 

The tables have turned tremendously. 

Outside of performances against the New York Giants and New England Patriots, two of the worst offenses in football, the Commanders' defense has continued to struggle and did so again late against Seattle. 

Each time the offense managed to tie the game in the fourth quarter, Washington's defense couldn't hold serve and keep the game tied. 

Even before Montez Sweat and Chase Young were traded, the defense struggled. With those two out of the fold for a defense that's allowing the second-most points per game, adding difference-makers on all three levels has to be a priority this offseason.