NFC Rumors: Commanders, Cowboys, Mike McCarthy, Eagles

Commanders

Commanders HC Ron Rivera confirmed fifth-round QB Sam Howell will start Week 18 and he is “really intrigued” by the quarterback. 

“Our plan is we’re going to start Sam,” Rivera said, via Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports. “We feel that this is an opportunity for us for Sam to show us what he’s capable of… We’re really intrigued in watching and seeing what Sam can do as a quarterback in this league.”

Howell mentioned that he is excited about his opportunity and has been waiting on his chance to start. 

“I was excited,” Howell said. “I’ve been working hard all year and I was kind of waiting for an opportunity to go out there.”

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin thinks Howell has shown potential this season and throws a very catchable ball. 

“I’ve seen some good things out of him this year … he made some throws where the ball comes off his arm and you’re just like ‘wow, that’s a nice ball,'” McLaurin said. “He has really good touch. And, I think he has a quiet confidence about him, so I’m really excited to see [what] he’s like in a game-like atmosphere.”

• Some players on the team are frustrated with the offensive playcalling from OC Scott Turner, with veteran TE Logan Thomas saying: “The way I put it is: We got so much talent, we should be scoring more points than we have been.”  (Sam Fortier of the Washington Post)

Cowboys

• Albert Breer writes that Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy “should be safe” after he managed to navigate the loss of QB Dak Prescott earlier in the season and could finish with 12 wins on the season.
• Even so, Breer says he’s “heard enough to not be 100%” on this happening, depending on what the Cowboys are able to do in the playoffs.

Giants

Giants DL Leonard Williams has played through pain this season and notes that the fact that the team has made the playoffs makes it all worth it.

“The winning makes it better, for sure,” Williams said, via GiantsWire.com. “It’s all been worth it. The pain has been — I’ve been dealing with it (the pain) and playing. It’s paid off the fact that we have a playoff spot. It’s worth it. I’m really willing to do whatever is best for the team at this point, which I’ve been doing all year. Whatever is going to get our team to the best position — at the end of the day our goal, every team’s goal at the beginning of the season is to get a championship. That’s our goal at the end of the day. Whatever is going to be the best for us to get to that point, I’m going to do it.”

• Giants GM Dave Gettleman on QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley finally getting to the playoffs: “It’s a tough place when things aren’t going right. I’m just proud they stuck to it and not been bothered by things that are written and said.” (Paul Schwartz)