Washington Ends Season with Winning Hail Mary
In the final seconds of the game, quarterback Sam Howell led the Commanders to a comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, securing their first 10-win season since 2012. The game-winning touchdown reception was just the latest in a string of late-game heroics for Howell.
Howell capped off the game-winning drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chris Crowder, capping off a 4-for-5 performance in the final drive with 33 passing yards and two rushes for 14 extra yards. The victory marked the third time this season that Howell has led a comeback.
“This is exactly what I love,” Howell said. “Those are the moments when everything’s against you and it’s time to make the big plays.”
Head coach Dan Quinn praised Howell’s clutch performances, saying, “If you give him moments, he really lights up in those spots.”
Howell’s game-winning drive was the culmination of a impressive day, in which he completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, five touchdown passes, and two interceptions. He also added 81 yards on the ground with nine carries.
The victory made Howell just the third quarterback to have five or more touchdown passes and 75 or more rushing yards in the same game, joining Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton.
Despite the impressive statistics, Howell said he cherishes the big-time moments when the game is on the line and the ball is in his hands. “I love those types of situations,” he said. “The game is on thin ice, and plays need to be made. That’s what you live for if you really love this sport, you play for those big-time moments where it comes down to the end.”
