Bengals vs Commanders: Live Updates, Highlights & Score for Monday Night Football

A tremendously thrilling Monday Night Football matchup was produced when the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders each recorded zero punts and zero turnovers, an NFL first not seen since 1940.

A Historical, High-Octane Showdown

Few preseason games capture this much attention, but Monday’s matchup between the Bengals and Commanders was different. From the very opening snap, neither side relinquished control—there were no punts, no turnovers, and relentless offensive drives defined the night. It was a rare spectacle in NFL lore.

First Half Fireworks

Commanders Break Through First: QB Jayden Daniels—making his third appearance—showcased poise beyond his years, completing 4-of-5 passes for 40 yards, though he was intercepted once.

Bengals Respond: Joe Burrow engineered a meticulous 12-play, 70-yard drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Jones, knotting the score at 14–14.

Defense Shines: Rookie linebacker Barrett Carter read the quarterback’s eyes, intercepting Sam Hartman and setting up another Bengals scoring opportunity. On the very next snap, Burrow connected with Mitchell Tinsley for a 13-yard TD, pushing Cincinnati ahead 28–14 just before the half.

Commanders’ Offense: Steady but Stifled

Washington’s offense, led by Hartman and Johnson, showed flashes—Croskey-Merritt scored on the ground, and Lane had modest receiving gains—but were largely contained by steady Bengals defense.

Cinema on the Field: Top Highlights

Tinsley’s Back-Shoulder Magic: The 13-yard TD catch from Burrow showcased Tinsley’s exceptional spatial awareness and aerial prowess.

Interception Heroics: Carter’s pick was a textbook playmaker moment—read, jump, return, and score setup.

Brooks’ Electric Run: Tahj Brooks executed an impressive 14-yard reversal run, displaying vision and athleticism.

Burrow’s Connection with Jones: A sharp 4-yard TD pass highlighting accuracy and timing under pressure.

What This Game Means

Unprecedented Efficiency: With no punts or turnovers, this game entered rare NFL history—both teams sustained drive after drive.

Browning’s Steady Footing: As a backup, Jake Browning managed confidence and composure during key stretches.

Commanders’ QB Battle: Jayden Daniels continues proving his worth, even in limited reps, while Hartman and Johnson battled earlier in the night.

Bengals’ Offensive Depth: Training camp offensive depth is highlighted by Burrow’s presence next to dependable weapons like Tinsley and Brooks.

Player Stats Snapshot:

Bengals:

• Joe Burrow: 9/14 for 62 yards, touchdown, passer rating ~97.9.
• Mitchell Tinsley: TD reception; strong night.
• Brooks (RB): Flashed speed with a notable run.
• Barrett Carter (LB): Defensive spark with game-changing interception.

Commanders:

• Josh Johnson: 4/5 for 40 yards, 1 INT.
• Hartman: Came in on later drive, mixed results.
• Croskey-Merritt: Touchdown on run.
• Jaylin Lane & McNichols: Modest gains representing role players.

What’s Next?

Bengals: As they prepare for their preseason finale against the Colts, their momentum and offensive unity appear to be strong.

Commanders: Daniels continues to stake his claim, while Hartman and others vie for preseason performance credibility.

League Takeaway: Few games can surpass the early standards set by this one for efficiency and discipline—no turnovers, no punts.

Final Take:

Monday’s preseason contest was more than just warm-up football—it was a masterclass in offensive execution and situational efficiency. Both sides displayed intent, poise, and depth, giving fans a glimpse of promising momentum ahead of the regular season.

Stay tuned for full postgame analysis, injury updates, and how each team will refine their strategy in the weeks ahead.