Jayden Daniels, Commanders Make Bold Statement with Victory Over Bengals

 CINCINNATI – Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders pulled off a stunning 38-33 upset over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on "Monday Night Football."

Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, put on a clinic, leading the Commanders to touchdowns on their first four full drives, building a 28-13 lead by the third quarter. The former LSU standout showcased his dual-threat talents, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another. Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards while adding 39 yards on 12 carries.

The Bengals, who struggled offensively for most of the game, mounted a comeback in the second half. Joe Burrow connected with wide receiver Andrei Iosivas on a fourth-down touchdown pass to bring the Bengals within a score in the third quarter. Washington responded with a field goal before Burrow linked up with Ja’Marr Chase for their second touchdown, cutting the lead to 31-26 with 9:42 left in the game.

However, Daniels sealed the victory with a flawless 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, capping off a 12-play, 70-yard drive that drained over seven minutes from the clock. The win lifts the Commanders to 2-1 on the season while the Bengals fall to a shocking 0-3.

Key Takeaways:

Washington Commanders (2-1):

• Jayden Daniels: The rookie quarterback delivered a near-perfect performance, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards, throwing two touchdowns, and rushing for one. His poise and accuracy were on full display, particularly on a 55-yard pass to Terry McLaurin and the game-clinching 27-yard touchdown.
• Austin Ekeler: Before leaving with a concussion in the third quarter, Ekeler was a force, accumulating 119 all-purpose yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run.
• Defensive Challenges: Despite the win, the Commanders struggled to contain Ja'Marr Chase, who scored on two long touchdowns, and allowed 6.2 yards per carry, a troubling trend for their run defense.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-3):

• Offensive Struggles: The Bengals had difficulty converting in the red zone, settling for field goals on multiple occasions. Despite two touchdowns from Burrow to Chase, Cincinnati's inability to score early doomed them.
• Troubling Trend: Cincinnati's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities continued from last week, with several drives inside Washington's 30-yard line ending in field goal attempts instead of touchdowns.

The Commanders will look to build on their momentum as they face the Arizona Cardinals next week, while the Bengals face an uphill battle to avoid a winless start to the season.