Bengals’ defense was even worse than it looked in loss to Commanders

The Week 3 Monday Night Football showdown between the Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals was billed as a clash between two of LSU’s most iconic quarterbacks and Heisman Trophy winners. It certainly lived up to the anticipation.

Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels both delivered stellar performances in the high-scoring affair. Burrow became just the second quarterback of the 2024 NFL season to eclipse 300 passing yards and throw three touchdowns in a game, joining Andy Dalton. However, it was Daniels who stole the spotlight, leading the Commanders to a stunning 38-33 upset victory.

Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, showcased why Washington took a chance on him. His elite mobility and sharp downfield passing were on full display, but it was his accuracy and efficiency that made the difference in just his third career NFL start. His performance set a rookie record and propelled the Commanders to a surprising 2-1 start to the season.

Jayden Daniels’ Stats vs. Bengals

Here’s a breakdown of Daniels’ numbers in the Commanders’ 38-33 win:

• Completions/Attempts (%): 21/23 (91.3%)
• Passing yards: 254
• Passing TDs: 2
• Passer rating: 141.7
• Rushing yards: 39
• Rushing TDs: 1

Daniels’ 91.3% completion rate set a new rookie record for a quarterback attempting at least 20 passes, surpassing Dak Prescott’s previous mark of 88.9%, set in 2016 against the Buccaneers.

Daniels’ accuracy was as good as the stats suggest. After an early misfire on a deep ball to Terry McLaurin, where he faced pressure and overthrew the receiver, Daniels settled in. His ball placement was impeccable for the rest of the night. He capped off the game by delivering a perfect touchdown pass to McLaurin on third-and-7, effectively sealing the victory.

In addition to his passing prowess, Daniels was key to Washington’s ground game. He led the team with 39 rushing yards and scored on a read-option play early in the contest.

Daniels’ dual-threat ability and historic efficiency made NFL history. According to NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno, Daniels is the only player in league history to pass for 250 yards and two touchdowns, rush for a touchdown, and complete 90% of his passes in a single game since at least 1950.

Monday night felt like a breakout moment for Daniels. During his postgame press conference, he reflected on the performance, admitting he couldn’t remember the last time he had a game where he missed only two passes.

“I’m a competitor,” Daniels said. “I want to compete at the highest level. It’s a blessing to go out there each Sunday and do things that a lot of people in the world can’t do.”

With this performance, Daniels left no doubt that he’s ready for the NFL’s biggest stage.