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

Josh Allen, 2-0 Bills take aim at struggling Jaguars

The matchup of the two Josh Allens has a different ring to it this season.

In fact, this time there will officially be just one on the field when the Buffalo Bills battle the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night in Orchard Park, N.Y.

The Bills’ quarterback still goes by the name, but the star Jacksonville defender who dominated the 2021 matchup now goes by Josh Hines-Allen. The change was made to honor the maternal side of his family.

Rest assured that Buffalo’s Allen won’t be confused by the change in identity when the Bills bid for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2020. He knows exactly who to look for on every snap.

“Anytime you get a D-end like that, they present problems,” Allen said Thursday of Hines-Allen, who had a career-high 17.5 sacks last season. “The motor that he has, he doesn’t let up. He finds ways to continue to get to the quarterback.

“He’s one of the premier edge rushes in the league and we have to be aware of him at all times.”

Jacksonville upset the Bills 9-6 in 2021 and Hines-Allen was a terror against the man whose name he once shared. He had an interception, recovered a fumble by Allen and notched a sack.

Hines-Allen is 2-0 in the head-to-head matchups with Allen, as the Jaguars also defeated the Bills last season, 25-20 in London.

This time, Jacksonville (0-2) is struggling entering the contest while Buffalo is riding high after a 31-10 road thumping of the Miami Dolphins.

Allen has thrown three touchdown passes in just 42 throws and the Bills rank third in the NFL in scoring offense at 32.5 points per game.

The offense is clicking despite the offseason trade of receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Two other key performers also departed and now play for the Jaguars — center Mitch Morse and wideout Gabe Davis.

“Two guys that I’ve spent a lot of time with over the last few years here,” Allen said. “Two guys that mean a lot to me, not just football-wise. I consider them real close friends. … Takes a lot to win in this league, and they were two huge contributors over the last several years.”

The Jaguars are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since losing their first five games under Urban Meyer in 2021. They are also trying to ignite a sagging offense that is tied for 27th in scoring at 15 points per game.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence received a five-year, $275 million extension in the offseason, but his play has been largely lethargic this year. He is completing just 51 percent of his throws, and he went 14-of-30 passing with four sacks during last Sunday’s 18-13 home loss to the Cleveland Browns.

“We can’t hit the panic button, but we’ve got to have some real conversations,” Lawrence said. “We’ve got too good of a team to come out here and perform two weeks in a row like this. I mean, these games are precious and you don’t get them back, and we’re 0-2 to start the year and it’s not going to get any easier. We’d better fix it quick.”

Hines-Allen sees an opportunity for the Jaguars to begin a turnaround.

“We’re down 0-2 right now, everybody’s going to count us out,” Hines-Allen said. “Playing against a good team — 2-0 — we’re coming in there with our backs against the wall and coming out fighting. I’m excited about that — and not (playing) in the cold.”

Allen (left hand) was a full practice participant on Thursday. The only Bills to sit out were linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm), two players who will miss the game.

Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) didn’t practice Thursday. He was injured in pregame warmups prior to the Cleveland game.

–Field Level Media