In a preseason showdown on Monday night, the Cincinnati Bengals secured a 31-17 victory over the Washington Commanders in Landover, Maryland. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the charge, completing 9 of 14 passes for 62 yards and throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Charlie Jones in the second quarter, tying the game at 14-14.
Backup quarterback Jake Browning also made a significant impact, connecting on 16 of 25 passes for 159 yards and throwing two touchdown passes to Mitchell Tinsley. Tinsley, who had five receptions for 73 yards, showcased his skills with acrobatic touchdown catches on back-to-back Bengals offensive plays.
On the ground, running back Tahj Brooks added 47 rushing yards on 11 carries, contributing to the Bengals' balanced offensive attack. The Commanders' defense struggled to contain the Bengals' offense, allowing multiple scoring drives and failing to generate significant pressure on the quarterbacks.
For the Commanders, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made his preseason debut, impressing with a 14-yard touchdown scramble on his only series. However, he did not attempt a pass during the game. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the rushing attack with 62 yards on six carries, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt added 46 yards and a touchdown. Quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman combined for under 100 passing yards and each threw an interception, highlighting the team's ongoing struggles in the passing game.
The Bengals' defense also had a strong showing, limiting the Commanders' offense and capitalizing on turnovers. The Commanders' defense, on the other hand, faced challenges in containing the Bengals' dynamic offense, particularly in the second quarter when the Bengals scored 14 unanswered points.
Looking ahead, the Bengals will aim to build on this performance as they prepare for the regular season, focusing on refining their offensive and defensive strategies. The Commanders, still in the early stages of their rebuilding process, will look to address their offensive inconsistencies and defensive vulnerabilities in the coming weeks.
