W2L4: Bengals Face Must Have Game Against Washington On Ring Of Honor Night

Commanders (1-1) at Bengals (0-2) Monday, Sept. 23 at Paycor Stadium (Field Turf CORE), 8:15 p.m. ET, TV: Ch. 9 ABC-WCPO-TV (Cincinnati) Joe Buck (PBP), Troy Aikman (Analyst), Lisa Salters (sideline), Russell Yurk (rules). Radio: Dan Hoard, Dave Lapham. WEBN-FM (102.7 FM), ESPN1530. Westwood One Radio. Broadcasters are Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Kurt Warner (analyst).

CINCINNATI – It’s another do-or-else Week 3 for the Bengals.

For the third straight season, the Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to snap out of an early-season slump when they host the Washington Commanders on Monday night football.

The Bengals (0-2) have started the season by dropping their first two games for a third straight year.

In 2022, they rebounded to win 14 of their next 16 games, including ten straight before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, keeping them from appearing in a second straight Super Bowl.

Last week, the Bengals were on the verge of a road upset before defensive pass interference was called on rookie safety Daijahn Anthony on 4th-and-16 from the Kansas City 35. Four plays later, Harrison Butker kicked the game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Chiefs to a 26-25 win.

“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated right now,” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said. “I was frustrated on Sunday. That was tough loss, but we’ve just got to go out and get a win. We’ve got to focus on getting better every day through our practice, and go out and execute when we have to execute on Monday, the rest will take care of itself.”

Burrow has completed 67.7 percent of his passes, has been sacked six times but has yet to throw an interception.

Burrow could get another passing weapon back for the game as Tee Higgins returned to practice Thursday after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. The Bengals have been hit hard with injuries on the defensive line, losing starters BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins to hamstring injuries last Sunday.

The Bengals have won six straight home primetime games, including wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

Monday will also be a festive night in Cincinnati as former stars Tim Krumrie, a nose tackle on the 1988 Super Bowl team, and the team’s all-time leading rusher Corey Dillon, will be inducted into the club’s Ring of Honor at halftime.

The Commanders (1-1) enter the third week on a winning note after edging their NFC East rival New York Giants, 21-18, on a last-second field goal, giving Dan Quinn his first win as head coach of the Commanders.

Washington’s offense is led by rookie quarterback and second overall pick Jayden Daniels, who is leading all rookies after two games with 132 rushing yards. Bucky Irving of Tampa Bay is next with 84. Daniels also leads all rookie quarterbacks in passing yardage with 410 yards through two games.

Daniels, in his first two career starts, has completed 40 of 53 pass attempts (75.5 percent) with a 97.2 passer rating.

“He’s a dynamic player. I really like his throwing motion,” said Burrow, who like Daniels, won a Heisman Trophy while playing at LSU. “Seems like he can spin it and understands his fundamentals. I think he’s got a bright future. Obviously, he’s really fast and quick and dynamic. But I’m not sure he gets enough credit for the passer that he is.”

“It’s big for the whole state of Louisiana to see both of us go up against each other,” Daniels said.

Quinn has instilled a more aggressive defensive approach, bringing over his style and several players from his time as defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys.

“They’re a really good football team,” defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said of the Bengals. “When you have a quarterback like Joe Burrow and receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and the players that they have, it’s always going to be exciting to go against them.”

The two teams have never met on Monday night football.

“We know it’s a long season,” Taylor said. “We know we can get ourselves out of it, stick together, get our emotions in check with an extra day this week and come back ready to play a great game in front of our crowd.”

Here’s what to look for:

• When the Bengals have the ball:

For the first time this year, the Bengals will have their full complement of weapons for Joe Burrow. Tee Higgins returns from a hamstring strain suffered on the Thursday before the season opener. Look for Higgins to be fed early and often. With Higgins back on the field, Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins should be able to find windows of opportunity against the Commanders secondary. The Bengals will need to neutralize the middle of the Washington defensive line that features Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. The Commanders will be without star defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who is nursing a knee injury. The Bengals also need to keep an eye on veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has as good a sense for the ball as any linebacker in the game. Keep an eye on jumbo packages with three offensive tackles, where Amarius Mims could make his NFL debut.

• When the Commanders have the ball:

In many ways, several of the rush rules apply this week as were in place last week against Patrick Mahomes. Jayden Daniels, the number two overall pick in the draft, can hurt you with his feet and arm, as his 132 rushing yards through two weeks will attest. The 132 yards is second to Brian Robinson Jr.’s 173 over the first two games. Terry McLaurin is a dangerous weapon but veteran tight end Zach Ertz is tied with the always dangerous Austin Ekeler for the team lead in receptions with seven. Cam Taylor-Britt said this week that Daniels has done a good job with a nice “college offense”. He and the Bengals had better be sure they have the answers for pro weapons that are on this Washington offense. The idea is to try and confuse Daniels with looks he’s not seen or doesn’t expect. Lawrence Guy will make his debut after signing with the Bengals this week as a defensive tackle. Kris Jenkins could take his first NFL snaps, and is expected to play with a cast on his right hand.

• Bottom Line:

The Bengals know full well what’s at stake. In 2022, they beat the Jets on the road and the Dolphins at home on a Thursday night. Last year, they beat the Rams in an ugly Monday night Super Bowl LVI rematch after dropping games to Cleveland and Baltimore to open the season. This year, they have a Washington team that is rebuilding. Can the Bengals make it 3-for-3? Joe Burrow hasn’t won a game since beating the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 last year on Sunday night football on Nov. 5. Last week was a good sign. Here’s thinking they build on it.

Bengals 30, Commanders 16