The Washington Commanders took on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 of the NFL season. This game was part of a MNF doubleheader, with the Jaguars-Bills game also taking place.
The Bengals were looking to get their first win of the season, while the Commanders look to start a winning streak after getting their first win over the Giants last week.
Battle of the Heisman Winners
It was the Jayden Daniels versus Joe Burrow matchup. They both attended different schools before transferring to LSU and being named the starting QB. They each played two seasons at LSU and won the Heisman trophy in their final season.
During their times at LSU, they both had talented wide receivers. For Burrow, he had Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Chase and Burrow are currently teammates while Jefferson is on the Vikings.
For Daniels, he had Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. All three players were taken in this year's draft, with Nabers drafted by the Giants and Thomas Jr. drafted by the Jaguars.
Game Recap
The Bengals got the ball first, and they wasted no time scoring on their first drive of the game. They ran six plays for 71 yards, which ended with a 41-yard pass by Burrow to Chase for the touchdown.
The Commanders answered with a touchdown of their own, thanks to a 70-yard on their first drive of the game. They were faced with a 4th and 2, but converted which led to getting to the end zone and scoring the touchdown.
This game was all about offense as neither team had a single punt. It was also a clean game as neither team committed a turnover and there were only a total of nine penalties. This was the second straight game the Commanders had zero punts and zero turnovers.
In the first half, Washington scored a touchdown on every drive. After not scoring a single touchdown in their last game, the offense was looking a lot better with them being able to convert in the end zone.
For the Bengals, they made three trips to the endzone. They went 0/3, having to settle for field goals. Kicker Evan McPherson missed the first field goal attempt, but made the next two to give his team 13 points at the half.
The Commanders got the ball to start the second half, and once again they converted in the endzone. Daniels would get his first career passing TD as well, throwing it to right tackle Trent Scott.
The Bengals got back in the endzone but unlike the first three trips, they finally converted for a TD. Washington's defense put them in a 4th and goal situation, but Andrei Iovsivas caught the ball with his foot in the end zone.
From that moment, it was a back and forth game. The Commanders' next drive ended with their first field goal of the game after Cincinnati got the stop due to an incomplete pass. That was the first and only time they did not score a touchdown.
The Bengals scored a TD once again, which just five plays in less than two minutes. They attempted the two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful. Many of the Bengals players and personnel believe it was defensive pass interference, but no flag was thrown.
Washington got the ball and started moving down the field. They were called for two penalties plus Daniels took a sack which put them in a 3rd and long situation. It was then 4th and 4, which led to a big decision. They could either go for it, settle for a long field goal, or punt the ball.
Head coach Dan Quinn trusted his young quarterback, so they decided to go for it. Not only did they convert for a first down, but they took two more minutes off the clock. In that timeframe, they ran for a few more yards before Daniels threw a deep pass to Terry McLaurin that went for 27 yards. He caught in the end zone, and got the touchdown.
Cincinnati immediately answered with a touchdown of their own, but they needed to do the onside kick so that they could try to win the game. They attempted it, but it was unsuccessful and Daniels kneeled it out. The Commanders won the game 38-33 and improved to 2-1 while the Bengals dropped to 0-3.
Joe Burrow finished with 29 completions out of 38 attempts for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase finished with six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Zack Moss finished with 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Jayden Daniels finished with 21 completions out of 23 attempts for 293 yards and three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing). He had a 91.3% completion rate, which is an NFL rookie record (min. 20 pass attempts). It is safe to say the Commanders have found their franchise quarterback.
Photo Courtesy: @commanders on Instagram
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