Commanders Upset Bengals in Monday Night Thriller

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a surprising defeat against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, falling 38-33. The Bengals entered the game at Paycor Stadium as the favorites, but their defense struggled to contain rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense.

The Commanders, led by Daniels, capitalized on the Bengals’ defensive shortcomings, scoring touchdowns on five of their first six drives. Daniels delivered an impressive performance, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards, and adding 39 rushing yards. He threw two touchdown passes, including a crucial fourth-quarter, 27-yard touchdown to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, sealing the victory with just over two minutes left on the clock.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense moved the ball effectively but were hindered by inefficiencies in the red zone, converting only two of their four trips into touchdowns. This inefficiency, coupled with an early missed field goal by Evan McPherson, contributed to their inability to secure their first win of the season.

In a historic turn of events, neither team punted or turned the ball over during the game, an NFL rarity not seen since 1940. Despite their offensive success, both teams have glaring defensive weaknesses that they must address moving forward.

Washington’s running back, Austin Ekeler, contributed significantly before leaving the game in the third quarter with a concussion. He had amassed 119 all-purpose yards, including a kickoff return that set a lively tone early in the second half.

For the Bengals, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was a standout, with touchdowns of 41 and 31 yards. However, his efforts were not enough as the Bengals dropped to an 0-3 record, lagging behind in the competitive AFC North.

Washington now has a promising future to look forward to, as Daniels seems to be the franchise quarterback they have long sought. The Commanders improved to 2-1 on their season, tied with the Eagles for top position in their division.

As both teams look to regroup, the Commanders are set to face their next opponents with newfound confidence, while the Bengals must find solutions to avoid an early season collapse.