NFL

Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals

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Final
38 - 33
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Rookie Jayden Daniels nearly flawless for Commanders in 38-33 win over Bengals

In his third NFL game and first in prime time, Daniels couldn’t miss.

The No. 2 overall draft pick threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in a remarkably efficient performance, and the Commanders stunned Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 on Monday night.

“He's a real cool customer, and he's got a real poise about him,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said of his quarterback.

Daniels finished 21 of 23 for 254 yards, setting an NFL rookie record for completion percentage at 91.3%. The Commanders (2-1) scored on every possession except for kneel-downs at the end of each half and have not punted or turned the ball over in their last two games.

“That's crazy,” Daniels said of the record. He said he couldn't remember being that efficient in his passing at any level.

Neither Washington nor Cincinnati punted or had a turnover, the first time that's happened in a game in the Super Bowl era.

Burrow threw for a season-best 324 yards and three scores, but the Bengals (0-3) simply couldn't keep up. Cincinnati is off to its worst start since dropping its first 11 games on the way to a 2-14 finish in 2019.

Daniels' first career touchdown pass was Trent Scott to start the second half, the second straight game in which the Bengals gave up a TD to a lineman.

“They were all discombobulated on defense,” Daniels said. “We got a sneaky one.”

The Commanders were clinging to a 31-26 lead when Daniels connected with McLaurin from 27 yards out with 2:10 remaining for the game-sealing score.

“I put in the work,” said Daniels, last year's Heisman Trophy winner at LSU. “What's done in the dark will always come to light. I just know that I prepare for these moments week in and week out. I just have to go out there and play football and execute.”

In the first half, Washington got rushing touchdowns from Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Daniels.

McLaurin had four receptions for 100 yards.

The Bengals couldn't reach the end zone on three first-half drives, with Evan McPherson kicking two field goals and missing another.

Meanwhile, Washington didn't have a drive that fell short of the end zone until early in the fourth quarter, when Austin Seibert kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 31-20.

Cincinnati got within five points on Burrow’s second TD pass to Ja'Marr Chase, but the 2-point conversion failed.

Daniels then led a drive that ate up 7 1/2 minutes and ended with the toss to McLaurin, which had a completion probability of 10.3%, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats.

Cincinnati scored on a 1-yard run by Zack Moss to cut the deficit to 38-33 with 40 seconds left, but McPherson’s onside kick was unsuccessful.

Chase had six receptions for 118 yards and two TDs for the Bengals, who also got a touchdown catch by Andrei Iosivas.

“I knew that would be a difficult football team," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. "They scored on every possession last week, and they scored on every possession this week. It was a dangerous team. They were ready for us. They dictated the flow of the game.”

Daniels the competitor Daniels said he wanted to show his competitive spirit in his first prime-time game.

“I want to compete on a high level,” he said. “I'm just blessed to go out there each and every Sunday and do things that a lot of people in the world can't do. And Monday, or whenever we play.”

Injuries Commanders RB Ekeler left in the second half with a concussion.

Bengals OT Trent Brown was carted off the field with a right knee injury in the first half and didn’t return.

Up next Commanders: At Arizona on Sunday.

Bengals: At Carolina on Sunday.

How can I watch Commanders vs. Bengals?

  • TV Channel: Commanders at Bengals 2021-22 NFL, week 3 is broadcasted nationally on ABC and ESPN+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Commanders vs. Bengals on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CIN TD 1st Period 11:37 Ja'Marr Chase 41 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
WSH TD 1st Period 5:25 Brian Robinson Jr. 1 Yd Run (Austin Seibert Kick)
WSH TD 2nd Period 11:31 Austin Ekeler 24 Yd Run (Austin Seibert Kick)
CIN FG 2nd Period 5:25 Evan McPherson 28 Yd Field Goal
WSH TD 2nd Period 2:04 Jayden Daniels 4 Yd Run (Austin Seibert Kick)
CIN FG 2nd Period 0:22 Evan McPherson 31 Yd Field Goal
WSH TD 3rd Period 9:54 Trent Scott 1 Yd pass from Jayden Daniels (Austin Seibert Kick)
CIN TD 3rd Period 3:03 Andrei Iosivas 2 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
WSH FG 4th Period 11:30 Austin Seibert 42 Yd Field Goal
CIN TD 4th Period 9:42 Ja'Marr Chase 31 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
WSH TD 4th Period 2:10 Terry McLaurin 27 Yd pass from Jayden Daniels (Austin Seibert Kick)
CIN TD 4th Period 0:40 Zack Moss 1 Yd Run (Evan McPherson Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/wsh.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originWSH https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN
22 1st Downs 30
13 Passing 1st downs 18
8 Rushing 1st downs 11
1 1st downs from penalties 1
5-9 3rd down efficiency 6-10
3-3 4th down efficiency 1-1
57 Total Plays 60
356 Total Yards 436
6.2 Yards per Play 7.3
8 Total Drives 7
248 Passing 312
21/23 Comp/Att 29/38
9.9 Yards per pass 7.8
0 Interceptions thrown 0
2-6 Sacks-Yards Lost 2-12
108 Rushing 124
32 Rushing Attempts 20
3.4 Yards per rush 6.2
3-3 Red Zone (Made-Att) 2-4
3-28 Penalties 5-16
0 Turnovers 0
0 Fumbles lost 0
0 Interceptions thrown 0
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
33:06 Possession 26:54
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Cam Sample, DE Questionable Mar 13
Evan McPherson, PK Questionable Feb 17
Logan Wilson, LB Questionable Feb 10
DJ Turner II, CB Questionable Feb 10
Lance Robinson, CB Questionable Feb 10
Washington Commanders Washington Commanders Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Norell Pollard, DT Questionable Feb 12
Tyler Owens, S Questionable Feb 12
Jordan Magee, LB Questionable Feb 12
Daron Payne, DT Questionable Feb 1
Sam Cosmi, G Questionable Jan 27

Game Information

Paycor Stadium

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 66,207 · Capacity:

2024 NFC East Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Philadelphia 14 3 .824 0 463 303
Washington 12 5 .706 0 485 391
Dallas 7 10 .412 0 350 468
New York 3 14 .176 0 273 415

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Baltimore 12 5 .706 0 518 361
Pittsburgh 10 7 .588 0 380 347
Cincinnati 9 8 .529 0 472 434
Cleveland 3 14 .176 0 258 435
Full Standings

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