Bengals grapple with another 0-2 start, face Commanders on MNF

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals will try to snap out of yet another early-season slump when they host the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.”

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

In 2022, they rebounded to win 14 of their next 16 games (including 10 straight) before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs for 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 fourth-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 a 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 and 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 B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins to hamstring injuries last Sunday.

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

Monday will also be a festive night in Cincinnati as 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 Week 3 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 draft pick Jayden Daniels, who is leading all rookies after two games with 132 rushing yards. Running bck 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.”

–Mike Petraglia, Field Level Media