NFL Coach & QB Rankings: Commanders' Rivera & Howell Too Low?

Ron Rivera and Sam Howell begin the hunt for their first postseason victory with the Washington Commanders.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has played only one NFL game but has given hope to a franchise that is also basking in the glory of new ownership.

Howell was named the starting quarterback after a strong preseason, highlighted by going 19 of 25 for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a preseason win over the Baltimore Ravens. His performance also gave hope that the offense will function much better under Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Coach Ron Rivera is entering his fourth season with Washington. He is the only coach in NFL history to have led a team with a losing record to the playoffs more than once (Carolina in 2014 and Washington in 2020.) Rivera hopes the Commanders can "feed off" an undefeated preseason as he and Howell begin the hunt for their first postseason victory.

A new Sports Illustrated list ranks the Washington tandem low at No. 27 collectively; a combination of Rivera's No. 22 ranking and Howell at No. 30.

"Rivera went to a Super Bowl with the Panthers in 2015, but his tenure in Washington has yet to produce a playoff victory," SI writes. "Now he’s turning to his third quarterback in as many years with Howell taking over. Howell, a ’22 fifth-round pick from North Carolina, has exactly one start to his name."

The Commanders have a chance to carry their momentum into the regular season when they host the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10. As 7-point favorites vs. the Cardinals, a Week 1 victory would go a long way in building confidence in Howell and Rivera. 

Unsurprisingly, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid topped the poll as the league's best duo, as the only combo to have won two Super Bowls together.