Bengals vs Commanders: 2 winners and 7 losers on Monday Night Football

The Cincinnati Bengals started an important game with the curfew against the Washington Commanders and got off on a completely wrong track.

Offensively, they did what they could when they were on the field. They didn't have to punt and only allowed one drive to fail to score.

Unfortunately, the defense didn't let up on Monday night and the Commanders ended up handing the Bengals their third loss of the season.

Here are the winners and losers from the Bengals' third brutal loss to start the season.

winner

Ja’Marr Chase

There has to be someone in the winners category, right? Chase finally had his first typical Chase game. Burrow found Chase six times for 118 yards and two touchdowns, one on the team's first offensive drive of the game and one early in the fourth quarter.

Chase is obviously benefiting from having Tee Higgins back on the field, as opposing defenses are no longer able to double-team him as often.

The running game

We've talked all week about how the Bengals needed to score a lot of points quickly to force the Commanders to throw. Ironically, it was the Commanders who scored so many points so quickly that the Bengals were forced to throw to catch up. This is especially frustrating considering the running game worked with both Chase Brown and Zack Moss.

Both Brown and Moss averaged over five yards per carry on Monday night. Brown even averaged 8.9 yards per carry. Going forward, it would be nice if the Bengals ran the ball more as the season progresses.

Unfortunately, the Bengals ran out of time in the fourth quarter and had to abandon their running game.

loser

Trent Brown

The Bengals decided not to go all-in on a right tackle this offseason, so not only did they use their first-round pick to sign Amarius Mims, they also signed Trent Brown as a free agent. Mims missed the first two games of the season with a chest issue and was fortunate to be available for the first time on Monday night, as Brown was out with a right knee injury.

Early in the second quarter, Brown collapsed to the ground while blocking a pass, apparently without physical contact. He was carried off the field and ruled out almost immediately. The severity of the injury is unknown, but Brown's injury history and age do not match up well.

The entire defense

The Bengals defense played against a veteran migrant in Week 1 and the NFL's best quarterback in Week 2. And yet they still gave up more points to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Week 3 than they did in the first two weeks (42 points combined).

The defense played poorly from the line to the secondary. There was no pressure. They couldn't stop the run. They couldn't stop Daniels from finding open receivers further down the field.

Daniels completed over 90 percent of his passes, the Commanders scored three touchdowns on the ground, and from the first to the last snap, things didn't look good.

Lou Anarumo's team is in trouble and if things don't improve by the end of the season, his job could be in jeopardy.

Bengals coaching staff

This was an incredibly important game for the Bengals. Starting the season 0-2 is one thing, but coming into the playoffs 0-3 is another thing entirely. The Bengals face significant and deep-rooted structural problems, particularly on defense.

The Bengals' coaching staff seemed less prepared than the Commanders', and the Bengals had their backs against the wall in Week 3. The coaches aren't on the field, but they prepared their guys for the big spotlight and simply dominated the team.

The Bengals’ chances in the postseason

We've seen the Bengals start 0-2 and still win the division and come from way behind in the postseason, but we've never seen the team start 0-3 and still make it.

Since the 1970s, only six teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, and only one team has done so since 2000.

Although Monday night's loss does not close the window for the Bengals to make the playoffs, it is closing quickly.

Bengals fans

What was the excuse this time?

Joe Burrow injured his calf last offseason and he and his offense didn't look quite in shape until about week four or five.

What's the excuse this season? Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense were outclassed by Daniels and the Commanders offense. This happened on Monday Night Football on a national stage on their home field. If their confidence wasn't shaken before, it's definitely shaken now.

This should be the Bengals' game to redeem themselves, not a slap in the face from another, less talented team. Fans are rightfully upset with the performance the Bengals have put on the field so far this season.

Joe Burrows wasted big appearance

The play doesn't come down to Burrow, even though the quarterback usually ends up on the battlefield. However, Burrow was absolutely outplayed by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Burrow played statistically solid and did what was asked of him without making any major mistakes. Was he a little behind or underpowered on some throws? Sure, but his long ball and connection to Chase are back and he's still one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Unfortunately, Burrow's performance in a game in which he threw his 100th touchdown pass was overshadowed by Jayden Daniels' coming out party.

Because of that and the Bengals' defense, what was a fantastic game for Burrow falls by the wayside with the loss.

player

Neither team punted on Sunday. The Bengals defense couldn't get off the field and the Commanders defense couldn't get a completion on the Bengals' side.

This doesn't happen very often.