Jayden Daniels' Commanders Make a Statement in Win Against the Bengals

CINCINNATI — Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders stole the show in their upset 38-33 victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football.”

Daniels, the second pick in the 2024 draft, led the Commanders down the field for touchdowns on each of his first four full drives to build a 28-13 lead midway through the third quarter and held off the Bengals from there. The former LSU Heisman winner showed off his dual-threat ability in the win. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, finishing the night 21-of-23 passing for 254 yards while rushing for another 39 on 12 carries.

Meanwhile, the Bengals' offense struggled to find its rhythm for most of the game but came through in the second half. A fourth-down touchdown pass from Burrow to second-year wide receiver Andrei Iosivas pulled Cincinnati within a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Washington answered with a field goal before Burrow found Chase for the second touchdown connection of the night with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter to make it 31-26. But Daniels had the final say, spectacularly capping a 12-play, 70-yard drive that lasted more than seven minutes with a perfect 27-yard touchdown pass down the sideline to wide receiver Terry McLaurin to seal the stunning victory.

The Commanders improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Bengals fell to 0-3.

Here are the most important things for both teams to know from Monday night:

The Commanders appear to have found a young quarterback to build around.

Rookie Jayden Daniels revealed himself to the NFL world by completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also rushed 12 times for 39 yards.

Daniels hurt Cincinnati with his arm, dropping a perfect pass to receiver Terry McLaurin for a 55-yard gain that set up the Commanders' third touchdown of the first half. Then, three plays after converting a fourth-and-four, Daniels was hit by an attacking defender and laid off another perfect pass to McLaurin for the game-clinching 27-yard touchdown pass.

Daniels also hurt the Bengals with his legs, scrambling for a 4-yard touchdown run around left end two plays after McLaurin's 55-yard reception.

Washington has been searching for a franchise quarterback for a long time, through first-round picks (four since 2002), trades and free-agent signings. The Commanders have started 10 quarterbacks over the past five years. After three games, Washington can finally look forward with excitement thanks to Daniels.

Promising performance: Running back Austin Ekeler. Before leaving the field early in the third quarter with a concussion, Ekeler had 119 all-purpose yards, including 62 on a kick return. Ekeler has looked sharp since training camp began and showed excellent burst on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

The biggest hole in the game plan: Defensive receiver Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals wide receiver is one of the most dangerous skill players in the NFL. He scored touchdowns on receptions of 41 and 31 yards when the Commanders opted for single-high pass coverage, leaving cornerbacks Mike Sainristil and Benjamin St-Juste unassisted on Chase's respective touchdowns.

Fundamental play: Washington converted a fourth-and-four with 4 minutes, 25 seconds left in the game from the Bengals' 38-yard line. The Commanders could have tried a 56-yard field goal or punted and played defense. Instead, they opted to go for it, and Daniels completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz. Three plays later, Daniels sealed the win with a touchdown pass to McLaurin.

Worrying trend: Defending the run. Washington entered Monday night's game ranked 29th against the run, allowing 5.1 yards per carry. But the Commanders allowed 6.2 yards per carry Monday night. They've used the two-deep safety strategy a lot, keeping an extra defender out of the box, but they need to play better up front. –John Keim

Next game: vs. Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 29)

For the second time in three games, the Bengals were heavy home favorites over a team that had a rough 2023 season. And once again, Cincinnati suffered a stunning upset.

Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders outscored the Bengals 38-33 to send Cincinnati to an 0-3 start.

Daniels had a masterful performance. Washington scored touchdowns on five of its first six drives, including a 27-yard pass from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin to seal the victory with 2:10 remaining.

Before the season started, the Bengals were in the conversation to challenge Kansas City for the AFC title. But a third AFC title matchup in four seasons between the teams seems very far away at this point. According to ESPN Research, only six teams have made the playoffs in the Super Bowl era after an 0-3 start to a season.

Worrying trend: Last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, they failed to convert possessions into touchdowns, and that persisted against Washington. In the second quarter, Cincinnati had three drives inside Washington's 30-yard line. The Bengals settled for field goal attempts on all three. Kicker Evan McPherson converted 2 of 3 attempts.

The biggest hole in the game plan: Containing Daniels. The rookie quarterback made running the offense look easy in his third career start. Daniels completed 14 of his first 16 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. He also struggled to get a touchdown to help the Commanders burn through Cincinnati's defense. Washington scored touchdowns on its first four drives. –Baby Ben

Next game: vs. Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 29)