CINCINNATI – In a thrilling display of talent and tenacity, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders orchestrated a remarkable 38-33 upset against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football.”
Daniels, selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, showcased his prowess by guiding the Commanders to touchdowns on each of their initial four drives, establishing a commanding 28-13 lead by the midway point of the third quarter. The former Heisman Trophy winner from LSU demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, throwing two touchdown passes and adding one on the ground. He completed an impressive 21 of 23 attempts for 254 yards and rushed for an additional 39 yards on 12 carries.
In contrast, the Bengals’ offense struggled to find its footing for much of the game but made a spirited effort in the second half. A critical fourth-down touchdown pass from Burrow to second-year wideout Andrei Iosivas narrowed the deficit to one score with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Washington responded promptly with a field goal, followed by Burrow connecting with Ja’Marr Chase for the duo’s second touchdown of the evening, narrowing the score to 31-26 with 9:42 remaining in the fourth. However, Daniels sealed the game with a flawless 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin after a meticulously crafted 12-play, 70-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes.
With this victory, the Commanders improved their season record to 2-1, while the Bengals fell to an alarming 0-3.
It appears Washington may have finally discovered a young quarterback to build their future around. In a dazzling display, Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in this pivotal matchup against the Bengals, alongside 12 rushes for 39 yards.
Daniels not only showcased his arm strength but also exhibited his agility, connecting with McLaurin on a perfectly executed 55-yard pass that set up the Commanders’ third touchdown. Following a successful fourth-and-4 conversion, Daniels absorbed a heavy hit from a blitzing defender but managed to deliver another precise throw to McLaurin for the clinching 27-yard touchdown.
The rookie quarterback’s versatility also shone through on the ground, where he darted for a 4-yard touchdown around the left end just two plays after McLaurin’s impressive reception.
The Commanders have long been in search of a franchise quarterback, cycling through first-round picks—four since 2002—trades, and free-agent acquisitions, having started ten different quarterbacks over the past five years. Now, after just three games, they can finally look forward with optimism thanks to Daniels’ emergence.
Promising Performance: Running back Austin Ekeler shone brightly, accumulating 119 all-purpose yards before exiting early in the third quarter due to a concussion. His contribution included 62 yards from a kick return, displaying notable explosiveness on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Critical Oversight: The Commanders’ defensive strategy faltered in containing Bengals’ receiver Ja’Marr Chase, one of the league’s most electrifying talents. Chase capitalized on single-high coverage to score touchdowns on receptions of 41 and 31 yards, leaving corners Mike Sainristil and Benjamin St-Juste vulnerable.
Decisive Moment: A pivotal fourth-and-4 conversion with just over four minutes left in the game occurred at the Bengals’ 38-yard line. Instead of attempting a lengthy field goal or opting to punt, the Commanders boldly went for it, with Daniels connecting on a 9-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz. Just three plays later, he secured the victory with another touchdown pass to McLaurin.
Worrisome Trend: Washington entered this matchup ranked 29th in run defense, surrendering an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Yet, they allowed the Bengals to average 6.2 yards per carry on the night. Their frequent two-deep safety formations often left them vulnerable against the run, necessitating improvements along the defensive front.
This loss marked the second time in three games that the Bengals, heavily favored at home against a team coming off a disappointing 2023 season, experienced a shocking defeat.
Under Daniels’ leadership, the Commanders have clearly turned a corner, putting the Bengals in a precarious position at 0-3. Expectations were high for Cincinnati at the season’s outset, with hopes of challenging Kansas City for the AFC title, but those aspirations now seem distant. Historically, only six teams have managed to reach the playoffs after starting 0-3 in the Super Bowl era.
Consistent Concern: The Bengals struggled to convert scoring opportunities into touchdowns, a problem that lingered from their previous week against the Kansas City Chiefs. During the second quarter, Cincinnati found themselves in Washington’s territory three times but settled for field goals on each drive, with kicker Evan McPherson converting two of three attempts.
Defensive Shortcoming: Containing Daniels became a significant hurdle for the Bengals. In just his third career start, Daniels executed the offense with remarkable ease, completing 14 of his first 16 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown, alongside a rushing touchdown that underscored the Commanders’ dominance over Cincinnati’s defense. Washington’s offense scored touchdowns on their first four drives, underscoring the impact of Daniels’ performance on the game.