How Bills Defense Bested Commanders QB Sam Howell

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell had his cage rattled against the Buffalo Bills defense.

Sam Howell took his first loss as an NFL quarterback ... and it was a beating.

Howell's Washington Commanders took their first loss with him under center in a 37-3 defeat against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills prepared well for Howell, picking him off on four interceptions.

Linebacker Terrel Bernard grabbed one of those picks, his second on the season.

"In some of our zone coverages, guys were getting good breaks and taking that shot and trying to create turnovers," Bernard said. "I think that throughout the week coaches pointing that out to us and watching tape ourselves that that was something we could take advantage of." 

The fourth of those picks came from linebacker A.J. Epenesa, who also felt the game plan built during the week was executed to a tee.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) attempts to pass the ball to Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) as Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExField / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

"He's still learning a little bit, whether it is the disguises of the defense or recognizing coverages," Epenesa said. "His thought process or whatever that is for him to make him have to try and take another second to break it down; that's our chance to continue working and continue getting after him and making him uncomfortable." 

Howell spent a lot of time in the pocket, more than what the Bills defense was giving him. That led to Howell being sacked nine times. That brings his total to 19 times sacked during the season, which is the most for any team to allow in the last 20 years through the first three games.

"We gave him different looks, you know if he doesn’t see something, most of the time he’ll just hold the ball and he’ll run," Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips said. 

However, Phillips believes that this is something Howell can fix as time goes on.

"It’s just growing pains, it happened to me in my first two games, it’s just growing pains,” Phillips said.

Howell will have a chance to grow from those pains on Sunday when the team travels to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.