Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and a former LSU Heisman Trophy winner, faced off against rookie Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders on Monday night. While Burrow has established himself as a star, Daniels showcased his potential during the game, emerging as a topic of discussion for the week. Daniels, the second overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, excelled in Washington’s 38-33 victory over Cincinnati, marking a significant moment in his young career.
In his third NFL game, Daniels displayed remarkable accuracy and agility, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 39 yards and one touchdown. This performance set a record for the highest completion percentage by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. His standout moment came in a critical third-down situation, where he threw a stunning 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, effectively sealing the win for Washington.
On the other hand, the Bengals, who were expected to be a strong contender this season, have faced a troubling start with an 0-3 record after suffering an unexpected loss at home. Cincinnati came into the game with high hopes but struggled to contain Washington’s offensive efforts, starting strong with a touchdown from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase. However, the Commanders quickly took control, ending the first half with a 21-10 lead, showcasing their offensive prowess with consecutive scoring drives.
The second half began poorly for Cincinnati, as Washington’s Austin Ekeler returned a kickoff for 62 yards, paving the way for Daniels’ first career touchdown pass to a 320-pound offensive lineman, Trent Scott. Despite the Bengals scoring in the second half, they were unable to overcome the deficit, with Daniels leading a decisive drive that culminated in another touchdown pass to McLaurin.
Though Cincinnati scored again late in the game, Washington recovered the onside kick, allowing Daniels to finish a memorable night on a high note. The Bengals now face urgent challenges as they look to turn their season around after comprising losses to teams considered underdogs. Meanwhile, Daniels and the Commanders are generating excitement, indicating that their journey is just beginning, and they will not be an easy team for opponents to face moving forward.