What were some major observations from Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell's performance at the Denver Broncos in Week 2?
To say that was dramatic would be the biggest understatement imaginable. The Washington Commanders overcame a hefty deficit and some late drama to pull off a significant win at the Denver Broncos, which was a big statement of intent and further proof of the resilience residing within the locker room currently.
The defense once again did their part as anticipated. But it was the production of quarterback Sam Howell that caught the eye in no uncertain terms during his first competitive regular-season start on the road.
Howell is brimming with confidence right now. Eric Bieniemy is scheming things up perfectly for the former fifth-round pick, who looks like he might be the answer to Washington's long-standing riddle under center at long last.
With this in mind, here are three major observations from Howell's performance at the Broncos in Week 2.
Sam Howell's poise
One thing that's come across in a big way where Sam Howell is concerned centers on his outstanding poise in the pocket. The signal-caller is rarely flustered from one play to the next and even though the Washington Commanders found themselves in a deep hole during the first half, their quarterback remained fully focused on the task at hand.
This composure in the face of adversity is something that Howell's teammates also fed off. Their confidence in the quarterback is increasing with every passing game and once again, he didn't let them down in crucial moments.
There is a lot of football remaining this season. But things couldn't have gone much better for Howell over his first two games as the Commanders' confirmed starting quarterback.
Sam Howell's ball security
One of the biggest criticisms surrounding Sam Howell in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals was the number of turnovers conceded. The quarterback was probably nervous and a little too eager to impress in front of a sold-out crowd at FedEx Field, but seeing growth in this area was absolutely essential to stand any chance of beating the Denver Broncos.
As it turned out, Howell protected the football with supreme conviction. The Washington Commanders asked a lot from their man under center - throwing the football 30 times in the first half - but the one-time North Carolina stud was efficient and effective in equal measure to inspire a monumental comeback for the ages.
Howell completed 69.23 percent of his passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. This was another huge step in the right direction for a player that looks to have the world at his feet currently.
There were some throws that weren't quite on target. However, when the time came for Howell to produce the goods, he answered the call more often than not behind a strong running game after the half-time interval.
Taking care of the football - especially when the Commanders go on their travels - will be integral to Howell's success this season. Judging by his latest performance, he's taken on board coaching and putting it to good use when it matters most.
And it's been a long time since fans could say that about a Commanders quarterback.
Sam Howell's deep ball
If the Washington Commanders went with a more conservative approach in terms of finding ways to accumulate chunk plays in Week 1, that wasn't the case this time around. Eric Bieniemy called a sensational game on offense, relying heavily on screens and also giving Sam Howell plenty of freedom to put his deep ball accuracy to good use.
This was one of the brightest traits surrounding Howell coming out of college. His performance against the Denver Broncos was littered with jaw-dropping, NFL-caliber throws that were nothing short of breathtaking considering the magnitude of adversity facing the quarterback with a heavy deficit to overcome.
The weapons are there for Howell to continue this trend moving forward. Terry McLaurin got his first touchdown of the season, Dyami Brown got some looks, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel are always a threat, and the gunslinger's elite pass to tight end John Bates was also among the glittering highlights from a truly exceptional performance.
Washington placed a significant amount of faith in Howell this season. Many questioned whether this would be the gamble that costs Ron Rivera his job, but all signs currently point to the signal-caller potentially becoming the Commnaders' long-term answer at football's most critical position.
This is a week-to-week league and fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. But if Howell continues to build confidence and maximizes opportunities for big gains when they arrive, the sky's the limit.