Jayden Daniels Shines as Commanders Stun Bengals in Monday Night Thriller

In an electric “Monday Night Football” showdown, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a stunning 38-33 upset over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, put on a show, showcasing his dual-threat abilities and guiding Washington to touchdowns on four consecutive drives.

The win improved Washington to 2-1 on the season, while the Bengals, who had high hopes of contending for the AFC title, dropped to a shocking 0-3.

Daniels Dominates Early

Jayden Daniels lived up to the hype, finishing the night with an impressive 21-of-23 for 254 yards and two touchdown passes, along with a rushing score. The former Heisman winner from LSU looked calm and in control, leading Washington to a commanding 28-13 lead midway through the third quarter.

Daniels’ highlight reel included a pinpoint 55-yard pass to star receiver Terry McLaurin that set up a rushing touchdown and a game-sealing 27-yard TD to McLaurin late in the fourth quarter. The rookie also added 39 rushing yards on 12 carries, showing his versatility and ability to extend plays.

Bengals’ Late Push Falls Short

While Cincinnati’s offense struggled to find its rhythm early, Joe Burrow mounted a comeback effort in the second half. A fourth-down touchdown pass to second-year receiver Andrei Iosivas brought the Bengals within striking distance late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 28-20.

Burrow then connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a second touchdown of the night, making it 31-26 with just under 10 minutes to play. Despite the late surge, Washington’s defense and a masterful closing drive by Daniels proved too much for the Bengals to overcome.

Commanders Find Their Franchise Quarterback

After years of searching, it seems the Commanders may have finally found their quarterback of the future in Daniels. His performance on Monday was nothing short of spectacular, and he’s shown remarkable poise in just his third career start.

Washington has cycled through 10 quarterbacks over the last five seasons, but Daniels’ precision passing, decision-making, and mobility have given the team a legitimate franchise cornerstone. The Commanders have reason to be excited about their future with the talented rookie under center.

Washington’s Key Performers

• Jayden Daniels: 21-of-23, 254 yards, 2 TDs; 12 carries, 39 yards, 1 rushing TD
• Terry McLaurin: 5 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
• Austin Ekeler: 119 all-purpose yards, including a 24-yard rushing TD before exiting with a concussion

Despite losing Ekeler in the third quarter due to a concussion, the Commanders’ offense remained efficient. Daniels connected with Zach Ertz on a crucial fourth-and-4 conversion late in the fourth quarter to keep a key drive alive, and McLaurin’s standout performance highlighted the victory.

Bengals’ Struggles Continue

For the Bengals, it was another frustrating outing. Cincinnati’s offense couldn’t capitalize on early scoring opportunities, settling for field goals on multiple drives inside Washington’s 30-yard line. Kicker Evan McPherson converted two out of three attempts, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the red-hot Commanders.

Burrow finished 26-of-36 for 312 yards and two touchdowns but was under pressure all night. Washington’s defense, despite allowing big plays to Ja’Marr Chase, kept the Bengals’ rushing attack in check and came up with key stops when it mattered most.

Trouble in Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s 0-3 start is raising alarms for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations. The Bengals were favored heavily in two of their three games, but now find themselves in a hole that only six teams in NFL history have dug themselves out of to reach the playoffs.

Their biggest issue? Converting drives into touchdowns. In back-to-back weeks, the Bengals have struggled in the red zone, and their inability to finish off drives came back to haunt them on Monday night.

• Joe Burrow: 26-of-36, 312 yards, 2 TDs
• Ja’Marr Chase: 8 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TDs
• Andrei Iosivas: 4 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD

Key Moments

• Daniels’ 55-yard pass to McLaurin: Set up a rushing touchdown that extended Washington’s lead in the first half.
• Pivotal fourth-down conversion: On fourth-and-4 late in the game, Daniels connected with tight end Zach Ertz for a critical 9-yard gain, setting up the game-clinching touchdown pass.
• Ja’Marr Chase’s Two TDs: The Bengals star wideout found the end zone twice, but Cincinnati’s defense couldn’t hold off Daniels and the Commanders when it mattered most.

The Road Ahead

The Bengals will try to regroup and avoid an 0-4 start when they face the Carolina Panthers next Sunday. Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are already in jeopardy, and Burrow and company will need to find answers quickly.

Washington, now 2-1, looks to keep the momentum going as they host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. With Jayden Daniels showing signs of becoming the team’s long-term solution at quarterback, the Commanders have reason for optimism in the NFC East.