The Washington Commanders have officially been eliminated from playoff contention for the 2023 season. They were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams 28-20 in Week 15, suffering their fifth loss in a row.
However, this one stood out among all of their losses. For the first time this season, starting quarterback Sam Howell was benched in the game. Howell was under relentless pressure all afternoon and struggled to move the ball down the field.
Before being pulled from the game, Howell completed only 11-of-26 passes for 102 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Despite the decision to bench him, head coach Ron Rivera did not waver after the game, saying, “He’s my starting quarterback,” per JP Finaly of NBC4 Sports.
NFL News & Rumors: Terry McLaurin, Sam Howell, Ron Rivera, Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders Updates
Howell was removed from the game, according to Rivera, “to take care of him a little bit.” The relentless pressure facing him, especially late in the game with the Commanders already abandoning the run, was a big factor in the decision made.
While Rivera is standing by Howell as his starter, it is a decision he should think twice about. Jacoby Brissett, who replaced him, fared very well against the same Rams pressure.
Brissett completed 8-of-10 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He and No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin showed some chemistry right away that the team’s leading pass catcher hasn’t had all season with Howell.
NFL News & Rumors: Terry McLaurin, Sam Howell, Ron Rivera, Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders Updates
As shared by 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen, McLaurin had a monster sequence on the drive that resulted in a 29-yard touchdown reception for him. Before Brissett came into the game, McLaurin didn’t have a 40+ yard reception or 100-yard game this season.
It was clear that the offense clicked better with Brissett under center than Howell. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he reconsidered making a quarterback change in the final three weeks of the season. Even with the playoffs now out of reach, jobs will still be on the line as a strong finish will be needed from several people in the franchise.
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