Commanders' Sam Howell 'Had Some Good Moments' vs. 49ers, Says Ron Rivera

The Washington Commanders fell to a 27-10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, but quarterback Sam Howell produced some good moments in the game.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell got a reprieve when Jacoby Brissett couldn't go with a hamstring injury against the San Francisco 49ers.

It hasn't been the best of times for Howell of late, and during the week, from coming to terms with being benched for Brissett, to then a few days later being the starter, it was no doubt a whirlwind of emotions for the young quarterback.

Then we add in playing a San Francisco team that was beatdown by the Baltimore Ravens last week, and Howell was walking into a perfect storm at FedEx Field.

But, he acquitted himself well, and head coach Ron Rivera was pleased with what Howell managed to do.

“I thought Sam had some really good moments,” Rivera said. “Early on, when things were balanced, it was one of those things that the situation gave him an opportunity and he performed. I thought he made some good decisions, threw some really good balls and there’s a couple of throws that he wished he’d have back. He did a lot of good things.”

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Howell had some good moments against the 49ers as the offense kept pace until halftime as they were down 13-10 and well and truly in the game. Howell would lead an 11-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a Terry McLaurin touchdown in the second quarter to bring the Commanders to within three points.

But in the second half, the Commanders couldn't get anything going as Howell threw an interception on back-to-back drives in the third quarter.

Commanders Divided By Two Halves in Loss vs. 49ers

It was truly a tale of two halves for Washington and while Howell did show some good things to put on film, the 49ers were just better for longer.

Whether or not Howell will start next week against the Dallas Cowboys remains to be seen, but he did his chances no harm against the NFC leaders.