In front of a national audience on Monday Night Football in Cincinnati, the Washington Commanders took early command of the Cincinnati Bengals and never looked back, winning 38-33 in a game where the Bengals defense didn’t force a punt.  The game was the first ever where neither team had a punt or a turnover in the Super Bowl era. 

The game was lost when Joe Burrow, the highest paid QB in the NFL, settles for checkdowns in some of the most egregious play calling that you’ll see any QB of his level have.  This came after a perfect placed 41 yard TD pass to Ja’Marr Chase which gave them the early 7-0 lead.  After that, the Bengals went through the next 2 1/2 quarters with some of the most egregious play calling, largely because their defense allowed the Commanders offense to go up and down the field at will.  The Bengals offense, led by Burrow, had to be perfect, but wasn’t.  They settled for 3 field goals (one of them missed) during a period that the Washington offense scored 3 touchdowns on their first 3 drives of the game.  Given how poorly the Bengals’ defense played the entire game, it was the offense that didn’t help the cause by settling for field goals in a must win game that they needed to score touchdowns in.

To make matters worse, the Bengals defense (for the 2nd straight week) allowed a 1-yard touchdown reception to a backup offensive tackle.  In week 2, it was to Wayna Morris of the Kansas City Chiefs.  In this game, it was Trent Scott with the same play on the goal line that the Bengals defense couldn’t find an answer for as they left Scott wide open in the end zone.

The Bengals offense finally got it going in the 4th as Burrow found Chase for a 31 yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-26.  However, when the defense needed a stop, they couldn’t get one.  This despite the Commanders offense getting 2 false starts, a fumble that the Bengals defense couldn’t recover, allowing a sack to Trey Hendrickson, 2nd and 20, 3rd and 12, and 4th and 5 all on the same drive.  Only to allow Jayden Daniels to hit Terry McLaurin for what turned out to be a game clinching touchdown pass.

The Bengals defense was unable to stop the Commanders juggernaut offense, but it didn’t help that the offense went three straight possessions setteling for field goal attempts.  This despite getting more 1st downs (30-22) and more total yards (436-356).  Going 2-4 in the red zone isn’t going to get the job done. 

Inexcusable that the Bengals’ offense with that much firepower, settles for FG attempts when they needed more.  That’s one of the main reasons why they’re record is what it is.

Photo credit; CBS Sports, Cincy Jungle

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