After a tough loss last week to the Chiefs, the Bengals were looking to avoid going 0-3. In their way, a Commanders team with a rookie QB and leaky defence. But the Bengals were also facing issues with their defence, with some notable defensive linemen ruled out. With their offence seemingly back in tune, would it be enough to offset the likely struggles on the defensive side?
It was a quick start for the Bengals, offensively. They had a few shorter gains to start things off before Zack Moss added a 15 yard run. On the next play, Burrow took the under centre snap and ran the play action. He found Ja’Marr Chase deep down the sideline for a 41 yard TD. 7-0 Bengals.
The Commanders were just as imposing on their opening offensive drive. Ekeler had a run of 8 yards, followed by receptions of 8 and 14 yards to kick off the drive. They then converted on a 4th & 2, with Daniel’s finding McCaffrey for 30 yards. From the 1 yard line, on 2nd down, Robinson punched it in to tie the game at 7.
Cincinnati drove again on their next possession, but it stalled out. McPherson’s 48 yard attempt was wide left.
Washington picked up where they left off, adding more chunk gains. Daniel’s completed intermediate passes to Brown and McCaffrey, as they continued to drive down the field. Then, Ekeler, from 24 yards out, found a lane and ran it in for the TD. 14-7 Commanders.
The Bengals offence continued to look good, with Moss and Chase Brown picking up some yards. Then, Erick All got involved, making an 8 yard catch on 3rd & 1. A 17 yard completion to Gesicki brought up a 1st & goal situation, but the drive again stalled out. This time, McPherson was able to convert from just 28 yards out, 14-10 Commanders.
Cincinnati’s defence still could not find an answer for Washington’s offence. Daniel’s found McLaurin deep for 55 yards, and ran it in for a 4 yard TD just one play later. The Bengals followed it up with another stalled drive deep in Washington territory, and then a 31 yard McPherson field goal made it 21-13 at the half.
The 2nd half started just as poorly for the Bengals, who gave up a big kickoff return to Ekeler. Working with a short field, Daniels found Ertz, and then picked up a 1st down with his legs, as they moved the ball forward. A hand to the face call on Taylor-Britt then gave the Commanders another 1st down. A completion to Brown set them up at the 1, and a couple of plays later, Daniels found Trent Scott, an OT who reported as eligible, for the TD. 28-13 Commanders.
Cincy answered with another TD of their own. Chase Brown ripped off a 16 yard run, before Tee Higgins later made a 16 yard catch to convert on 3rd & 10. After some more chunk plays, with Moss, Brown, and Higgins getting involved, Burrow found Andrei Iosivas from 2 yards out for the TD. 28-20 Commanders.
After a Washington field goal made it 31-20, the Bengals offence continued to move the ball. Burrow found Gesicki for 7 yards, then Iosivas for 16. After another completion to Gesicki, this time for 11 yards, he decided to take a shot. Burrow let a deep one go to Chase, finding him from 31 yards out for the TD. They went for 2, but despite clear pass interference, a flag was not thrown, and the try was unsuccessful. 31-26 Commanders.
Needing a stop, the Bengals got the Commanders into a 4th & 4 situation. But Daniels found Ertz for 9 to move the chains. Then, the Bengals had them on 3rd down, where a stop would have forced a field goal attempt, and kept things within one score. But Daxton Hill got beat down the sideline for a 27 yard TD pass to McLaurin. 38-26 Commanders.
With their chances of winning now extremely slim, the Bengals did still go out and have a good drive. Burrow found Gesicki, Moss, and Iosivas for some nice intermediate receptions. Then a pass interference call put the ball on the 1 yard line, where Moss was then able to run it in for the TD. This made it a once score game, but their onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and the Commanders won with a final score of 38-33.
The Bengals fall to 0-3, and will take on former Bengal Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers on the road next week.
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