Commanders Win Big Over Bengals 38-33 On MNF Closing Week 3

The Washington Commanders (2-1) won big on Monday Night Football, beating the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) 38-33. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 410 yards in his first two games. Tonight he threw for 231 yards, with two touchdowns. He finished the night nearly perfect with a 91.3 completion rate. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin came alive catching four for 100 yards, followed by Luke McCaffrey who had 4 for 33 yards.

Daniels also led rushing Monday night, carrying the ball 12 times for 39 yards, which included a few fourth-down conversions. Commanders running back Austin Eckler carried three for 35 yards and had one touchdown.  It is unclear what happened that led to the concussion check but he was ruled out via the Fourth Quarter.

LSU Connection Added Monday Night Hype

In a duel of two Heisman-winning former LSU quarterbacks, Monday night’s game did not disappoint. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t waste time either, throwing a 41-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, his 100th career TD in his first drive of the game. For a moment it looked like the Bengals set a pace the Commanders would have problems with. Last week they couldn’t score anything but field goals.

That would not be the case this time around. A big contrast to the 0-6 red zone conversions against the New  York Giants in Week 2, the Commanders responded in their first play with a 10-play 70-yard touchdown drive, taking 6 minutes off the clock. The big key to Commanders QB Jayden Daniel’s first possession touchdown was a 30-yard Fourth down conversion to wide receiver  Luke McCaffrey for 30 yards.  

Commanders Win By Setting A Good Pace

For the first time since 2015, the Commanders scored touchdowns on their first three drives. One of these touchdowns was to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who had not received a lot of action deep until Monday night. That changed, with him catching a 55-yarder, burning Bengals Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the process. That set up the Daniels walk-in touchdown with 2:04 left in the Half. This was the third touchdown for the quarterback so far this season.

Taylor-Britt went on record with the media last week accusing the Commanders of running a “college offense” when managing Daniels.  McLaurin sealed the Bengals’ fate with under two minutes left catching another deep ball, a 27-yarder to put the Commanders ahead 38-33 to win the game. “He’s a Pro’s Pro. All credit to him,” Daniels said about McLaurin after the game.

“Jayden always has such a cool demeanor about him, ” said HC Dan Quinn. He also said that Daniels thrives in the hardest and most challenging moments.  “We need all of that. It’s a hard place to play.” However, Daniels made it look so easy. One of his touchdowns of the night went to an Offensive lineman, Trent Scott, who was made eligible on the one-yard touchdown.

Commanders Finish Night Strong

One of the main problems the Commanders have had is finishing games. Tonight the Commanders proved they could change the game’s tide and maintain the momentum. They already do well in ball control, keeping possession of the ball roughly 33 minutes of the game. Even though the defense still showed some areas needing improvements, the Commanders earned the win. It’s going to be a long week for Taylor-Britt.

The Commanders will face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.

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