Jayden Daniels shines as Commanders defeat winless Bengals: Key points

Washington’s Rookie QB Shines, Bengals Fall to 0-3:

By Ben Standig, Paul Dehner Jr. and Mark Puleo

In a clash of recent LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, the rookie outshined the Pro Bowl veteran, possibly crushing the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes before October even arrived. The Bengals suffered a 38-33 defeat to Washington on Monday, dropping them to 0-3 for the season.

For the Commanders, Jayden Daniels stole the spotlight to showcase his potential as the No. 2 pick orchestrated five touchdowns, including a remarkable 1-yard lob to massive offensive tackle Trent Scott for his first career passing touchdown.

JAYDEN DANIELS’ FIRST CAREER TD PASS IS AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN TD!

📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/xOuWz3wiPa

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024

The high-octane showdown between Daniels and Joe Burrow culminated in a thrilling action-packed game, marking the first contest since 1940 without a punt or turnover.

The Rise of Jayden Daniels:

Despite being a rookie, Jayden Daniels showcased his composure and immense talent on the national stage. His impressive performance left Cincinnati’s defense struggling to contain his elusive style of play, culminating in a stunning 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin.

GO DEEPER

Jayden Daniels, out of central casting, looks like a leading man for Washington

Washington’s Offensive Prowess:

Washington’s offense, under the guidance of coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, continued to impress with its efficiency and creativity. Scoring on all six full possessions against Cincinnati, the Commanders emphasized their offensive strength, led by Daniels and Kingsbury’s strategic play-calling.

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

Bengals’ Struggles:

The Bengals found themselves in a dire situation after the loss, with their defense showcasing vulnerabilities reminiscent of the previous season. The lackluster performance against Washington highlighted defensive shortcomings and a need for significant improvement moving forward.

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How bad was the Bengals’ defense Monday night? Somehow worse than it looked

Summary:

Despite a strong offensive performance by the Bengals, their defensive struggles and missed opportunities in the red zone led to a disappointing loss. Washington’s young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, stole the show with his exceptional play, leaving Cincinnati with an uphill battle as they seek to bounce back from a winless start to the season.