Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals, the leading contenders for this NFL season, set off alarm bells on Monday after losing 33-38 to the Washington Commanders, led by an impressive Jayden Daniels, and thus recording their third loss in three games (0-3).
Particularly outstanding was the performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was sensational with 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.
Daniels not only shredded the Bengals’ shaky defense, but also looked very confident in the red zone. He also posted the highest pass completion percentage ever (91.3%) by a rookie quarterback in the NFL.
Burrow, meanwhile, was 29 of 38 passing for 324 yards with three touchdown passes. This game, packed with attacks and points on both sides, left a historic anecdote, as it was the first since 1940 without turnovers or punts.
Commanders take Cincinnati
Eager to brighten up their dull start to the season, the Bengals got off to a flying start and Ja’Marr Chase opened the scoring with a touchdown after an excellent 41-yard pass from Burrow (7-0).
The Commanders’ response, still in the first quarter, was immediate with a touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr. (7-7). In the second quarter there was a key difference: the Bengals’ lack of precision in the red zone and the Commanders’ poise in the decisive yards.
Thus, Cincinnati could only score two field goals in the second quarter (missing a third) while Washington took the lead on offense with Daniels in his element.
With a remarkable 13-21 at the break, the Commanders once again shook up a stunned Bengals with a spectacular 62-yard return by Ekeler. To top it off, Washington added another touchdown through Trent Scott (13-28).
Jayden Daniels had a historic MNF debut: 293 total yards, 91.3 comp%, 3 total TDs 🔥@JayD__5 | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/TMUHGzUjsw
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
In desperation, Cincinnati mounted a heroic comeback attempt between the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter with scores from Chase and Andrei Iosivas. In addition, the defense stepped up and stopped the Commanders, who had to settle for a field goal (26-31).
But with just over nine minutes on the clock, Daniels gave a recital of how to waste time and keep possession, he drove the Bengals desperate who were eager to get the ball back and culminated his magical evening with a 27-yard pass for the touchdown to Terry McLaurin (26-38).
With just 2:10 on the clock, Cincinnati could only make up for the final result with a sterile goal from Zack Moss (33-38).
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