The Washington Commanders picked up a huge win on Monday, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 to end Week 3. It was Washington’s second consecutive win.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was phenomenal, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also led the Commanders with 39 rushing yards and scored another touchdown on the ground. Daniels has not turned the ball over in three weeks, and Washington hasn’t punted in the past two weeks.
With two straight wins and a 2-1 record, Washington made a significant move in the latest NFL power rankings. It’s time for our weekly power rankings roundup from around the NFL.
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after throwing a 27 yard touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Entering the Monday night game, Washington ranked 27th in red zone scoring — largely due to having to kick six field goals in Week 2 versus the Giants. Four penalties helped stall drives in that win, but overall execution must improve. The passing game hasn’t worked in the red zone (quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 1 of 5 red zone passes in the first two games), and the run game was tied for 16th, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. After Monday night’s win over the Bengals, the Commanders scored a touchdown on 100% of their red zone trips, showing much improvement.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Commanders have their quarterback for the long run. Jayden Daniels will be a star. We saw that in the victory over the Bengals on Monday night.
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a 27 yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jayden Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for a 91% completion percentage that is a new NFL record for a rookie QB. Daniels was nearly perfect in a massive road win over the Bengals. This suddenly feels a lot like Robert Griffin III as a rookie, doesn’t it?
Sam Cosmi #76 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the game at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In the leadup to Washington’s Monday night trip to Cincinnati, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels told reporters that he was looking forward to playing under the lights for the first time in the NFL.
Daniels certainly appeared comfortable in the moment—and while one start does not a career make, we may have witnessed the coming-out party for one of the league’s next great young quarterbacks in the Queen City.
The Bengals had no answer whatsoever for Daniels and the Washington offense. Of Daniels’ 23 pass attempts, just two fell incomplete—a rookie record. Daniels threw for 254 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns and led the Commanders in rushing as well.
“Do the Commanders still have issues? Yes. Will Washington make the playoffs in 2024? Probably not—a defense that has been a sieve dating back to last season surrendered 436 yards of offense against the Bengals. But Daniels was poised. Accurate. Athletic. He looked every bit the part of the franchise quarterback the Commanders have lacked since Kirk Cousins left town. It’s probably not going to hold, but Washington is tied for first place in the NFC East three games in. Not many folks expected that to be the case.
Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) celebrates his tackle during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Jayden Daniels was already among the league leaders in completion percentage at 75.5 percent, and that was before he completed 21 of 23 passes on Monday night in a stunningly good performance that fueled the Commanders’ road upset of the Bengals. Daniels was so cool and poised all night, leading six scoring drives (five TDs) in six tries, not counting kneeldowns. He sprayed the ball all over, including a few gorgeous deep shots, and was a terror with his legs, rushing for a touchdown and five first downs, frustrating the Bengals all night. Daniels now has completed 61 of 76 passes this season, good for a fiery 80.3 percent. The NFL record for a season is Drew Brees’ 74.4 percent in 2018, at 8.2 yards per attempt. It’s only three games, but Daniels is averaging 8.7 yards per attempt so far. Just a remarkable start in what certainly looks like an Offensive Rookie of the Year type of season early on. Oh, and the Commanders are suddenly pretty fun, too.
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) runs for the touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
It’s a good thing for Malik Nabers that they canceled the $10,000 OROY bet.
Washington Commanders offensive tackle Trent Scott (73) celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
I can’t say for sure that this is sustainable, but how do you not give the Commanders a massive bump after what we saw Monday night? If Jayden Daniels is capable of even playing close to the level we saw in Cincinnati, this team has a completely different ceiling than most of us anticipated. They haven’t punted since Week 1!
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Their “nice college offense,” per Cincy CB Cam Taylor-Britt, scored Washington’s most points (38) in four years as QB Jayden Daniels set a rookie record for completion percentage in a game (91.3%) in Monday’s victory. The Commanders haven’t punted since Week 1. If the season ended today – it doesn’t – they’d be in command of the NFC East.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) acknowledges fans after the victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Let it be known that on a Monday night in Cincinnati in late Sept. 2024, a star was born. The second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft had his breakout game on a national stage. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels put on a show, showcasing his arm talent and his ability to create as a runner, leading his offense to 38 points while setting an NFL rookie record for completion percentage in a game (91.3%).
