Week 2 of the NFL preseason ended with the Cincinnati Bengals beating the Washington Commanders 31-17 on a night where the Bengals’ starters saw the most significant action we’ve seen from a Zac Taylor-led team.
Here’s a recap of how it went:
First Quarter:
The Bengals started the game with the ball. After two runs by Chase Brown totaling seven yards, they faced a 4th and 3 near midfield. Joe Burrow came to the line and drew Washington offsides with a hard count, giving the Bengals a first down via penalty. A pass
interference call on a deep ball from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase set the offense up at the Commanders’ four-yard line. After being stopped three times by Washington, Chase Brown ultimately punched it in on 4th and goal. Evan McPherson converted the extra point, giving the Bengals a 7–0 lead.
Washington took over with their starting unit on the field. Deebo Samuel broke off a 19-yard run, immediately followed by a 40-yard gain from Chris Rodriguez Jr. Their four-play, 74-yard touchdown drive came without a single pass attempt, ending with Jayden Daniels running it in from 14 yards out.
The Bengals’ next drive never really got going. It ended with Burrow scrambling back to the Washington one-yard line for a 17-yard loss on a sack. While Burrow admirably tried to extend the play, in a preseason game, he probably should’ve just thrown it away.
After a 51-yard punt by Ryan Rehkow, Washington took over with backup quarterback Josh Johnson under center and quickly scored again — this time on a 27-yard run by Jacory Croskey-Merritt. By that point, the Bengals’ defense had allowed 14 points and 118 yards of offense — with Washington attempting just one pass.
The next Bengals drive featured another scary Burrow sack and more pressure, but the offense eventually began to settle. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown were all out of the game, but Burrow stayed in and was able to connect with Charlie Jones on a nice gain to move into scoring position before the quarter ended.
Second Quarter:
Burrow remained in the game to start the second quarter. The broadcast mentioned that he wanted reps with the backup weapons to develop chemistry. Ultimately, after a few scary moments, he connected with Charlie Jones for a five-yard touchdown. McPherson converted the extra point, tying the game at 14–14.
When Washington got the ball back, most of the Bengals’ defensive backups were on the field. After a poor showing by the starters, the backups had a chance to put some good tape out there — and some might even push for starting roles.
Tycen Anderson, who has seen first-team reps with Geno Stone out, finally made a big play, intercepting Josh Johnson on an errant throw and returning the ball to the Bengals’ three-yard line.
Jake Browning entered the game on the next possession, looking to bounce back from a tough first outing. He completed a couple of short passes before rookie Tahj Brooks broke off a 14-yard run reminiscent of Giovani Bernard. The drive ultimately ended in a punt.
Late in the second quarter, Browning hit Mitchell Tinsley in the end zone to give the Bengals a 21–14 lead. Tinsley made a great play on a back-shoulder throw after contributing several key catches to move the chains earlier in the drive.
With 20 seconds left in the half, rookie Barrett Carter intercepted Sam Hartman on a pass over the middle and returned it to Washington’s 21-yard line. The offense capitalized quickly, with Browning hitting Tinsley again on a deep ball for another impressive touchdown catch.
Third Quarter:
Washington opened the second half with the ball and methodically moved it down the field. However, the Bengals’ run defense tightened up around midfield, forcing Hartman into short checkdowns. The defense responded well, stopping plays quickly. After a false start on 4th and 3, Washington settled for a field goal.
Later, a 12-yard completion from Browning to Isaiah Williams on 3rd and 14 was overturned, leading to another punt by Rehkow.
There wasn’t much more action before the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Bengals possessed the ball until there was just 5:40 remaining in the fourth quarter and came away with nothing to show for it, punting the ball back to Washington after Browning was sacked.
The highlight of the fourth quarter was Evan McPherson connecting on a 54-yard field goal attempt. McPherson is now 2/2 from 50+ yards in the preseason. McPherson’s confidence seems to be back after a rough 2024 season,
