Sam Howell threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns as the Washington Commanders defeated the Baltimore Ravens 29-28 on a last-minute field goal, snapping one of the NFL’s most peculiar runs of success.
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders running back Jaret Patterson, left, wide receiver Kyric McGowan, right, and offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, center, celebrate after a touchdown by Patterson during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens tight end Travis Vokolek, top, and wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr., celebrate after Vokolek's touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, left, and wide receiver Dyami Brown celebrate after connecting for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens tight end Travis Vokolek, right, lunges for a touchdown as he tackled by Washington Commanders safety Kendall Smith, left, linebacker David Mayo, top, and safety Terrell Burgess, bottom, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown looks to throw a pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) catches a touchdown pass in front of Washington Commanders cornerback Rachad Wildgoose (37) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders safety Jartavius Martin, center front, intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver James Proche II (10) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes reacts after a tackle during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III is pursued by Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone comes in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL preseason football game ,Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Washington Commanders running back Alex Armah, left, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kyu Kelly on a two-point conversion-attempt during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Ravens Commanders Football Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, left, cannot tackle Washington Commanders running back Jaret Patterson, right, who scores a touchdown on the play during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Sam Howell was still in middle school the last time the Baltimore Ravens had lost a preseason game.
On Monday night, he helped put an end to one of the NFL’s most peculiar runs of success.
Washington’s new starting quarterback threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns as the Commanders edged the Ravens 29-28 on a last-minute field goal. Joey Slye converted from 49 yards, sending the remaining home fans into a state of jubilation not often seen in recent years at FedEx Field.
The loss marked the end of a 24-game preseason win streak for the Ravens, who passed the previous NFL record of 19, set by the Green Bay Packers in the 1950s.
“It’s really not a real game, but at the same time whatever team you’re on, you want to win,” Howell said. “Especially knowing what they had on the other side with their little streak.”
The back-and-forth thriller featured five lead changes and led Ravens coach John Harbaugh to rebuke those who call preseason football meaningless.
“You never played the game,” Harbaugh said of the critics. “You never were out there in a preseason game; you never were fighting for a spot on the field. And yet you have the audacity to say that the effort that somebody puts into that, to fight and win a game like that, is meaningless.
“I can’t respect anybody that says that — because of the effort these guys put into it. And that’s why I’m so proud of these guys, for the way they fought. It doesn’t matter, win or loss. It matters the way they went about their business. And I’m proud of that and always will be.”
“We know how important the quarterback position is in the league and how important it is in this area,” Rivera said. “We’ve been looking for one, and I think we have an opportunity to have a guy that has a chance to be a really good football player for us.”
Journeyman Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson matched Howell throw for throw in an exhilarating first half, at least by preseason standards.
Johnson finished 10 of 12 for 145 yards and two touchdowns, as well as one end zone interception where the ball fell through the arms of receiver James Proche II and into the waiting hands of Commanders defensive back Quan Martin.
Those missed points proved costly as Washington’s third-string QB, former Georgia standout Jake Fromm, led the Commanders down the field for the game-winning field goal, triggering a raucous party.
“It was so much fun to watch and be a part of,” Howell said
NEW ENERGY
Monday’s preseason game was the first under new Washington owner Josh Harris, and it was a star-studded sideline in the minutes before the game.
Legendary Washington coach Joe Gibbs was in attendance with his grandson, NASCAR racer Ty Gibbs. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was the Commanders’ honorary captain, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg shook hands with the ownership group, as did rapper Wale.
Harris joined ESPN’s broadcast of the game in the second quarter.
“I have a lot of faith in Sam (Howell) and the team,” he said during the appearance.
INJURIES
Washington receiver Terry McLaurin left the game at the end of the second quarter with a right toe injury, after a Baltimore defender landed on his foot while making a tackle. McLaurin walked off the field and to the locker room himself, and x-rays were negative. Rivera said the team will take the injury day-by-day.
UP NEXT
Ravens: Finish the preseason on Saturday night at Tampa Bay.
Commanders: Host Cincinnati on Saturday night in their preseason finale.
