Sam Howell Reveals 'One Thing' Commanders Offense Will Work On
The Buffalo Bills' defense had a field day Sunday, sacking Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell nine times.
Being a defensive line's punching bag obviously breaks down a quarterback physically but can take a toll on his psyche as well, especially when the combined weight of the defenders that you're getting hit by equals 1,597 pounds.
Howell said protection and him "getting the ball the ball out" quicker, while knowing when to "extend the play" versus "the time to just take an incompletion" are all points of emphasis in practice this week to cut down on the sack numbers.
“That's one thing that's hurt our offense so far is the negative plays and getting behind the chains," Howell said. "It's something I'm definitely always working on and obviously always cautious of. Yeah, I feel like it's something that I'll only get better (at) over time.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell gets sacked against the Buffalo Bills Sunday at FedExField. The Bills won 37-3.
USA Today
The pressure wasn't the only problem for the Commanders' quarterback Sunday as he threw it to the wrong team four separate times, including a pick-six by Buffalo defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
Howell became the sixth quarterback in NFL history with four interceptions while getting sacked nine times and became the first since Warren Moon in 1995.
Buffalo's defense was bearing down on Howell on each of his final three picks, not allowing him to sit comfortably in the pocket and survey the field.
The challenge doesn't get any easier for Washington's offensive line this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. They have only recorded six sacks but are tied for second in the NFL in pressures and pressure percentages.
“They're just so talented and they have so much depth," Howell said. "The guys that are coming in, backing those guys up are really good players. The Jalen Carter kid doesn't even start the game, but he's one of the better players we'll play all year. They have really good players on their front, and we got to be ready for it.”
Washington's offensive line will be tested against Philadelphia Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX.
