Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals Match Player Stats (Sep 23, 2024)
Quick Stats Summary
Final Score: Washington 38, Cincinnati 33
Date: September 23, 2024
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
Key Stat: First NFL game in Super Bowl era with zero punts and zero turnovers
Star Performers
- Jayden Daniels (WSH): 21/23, 254 yards, 2 Pass TD, 1 Rush TD, 91.3% completion
- Joe Burrow (CIN): 29/38, 324 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
- Terry McLaurin (WSH): 4 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD
- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN): 6 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD
Monday Night Football at Paycor Stadium produced an unprecedented offensive showcase between Washington and Cincinnati. The 66,207 fans witnessed NFL history as neither team punted or turned the ball over, a first in the Super Bowl era.
Quarterback Duel Statistics
Passing Performance Breakdown
| Passing Stats | Jayden Daniels | Joe Burrow |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/23 | 29/38 |
| Completion % | 91.3% | 76.3% |
| Passing Yards | 254 | 324 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 141.7 | 127.5 |
| Sacks Taken | 2 for 6 yards | 2 for 12 yards |
| Average Depth of Target | 9.7 yards | 8.2 yards |
| PFF Grade | 95.9 | 78.3 |
Daniels’ 91.3% completion percentage established a new NFL record for rookies in a single game. His 95.9 Pro Football Focus grade ranks as the highest by any Washington quarterback since PFF began tracking in 2006.
Advanced Passing Metrics
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury adjusted the game plan significantly. Go and post routes comprised 28.5% of Daniels’ attempts, up from 9.6% in previous games. Crossing routes doubled from 4.8% to 9.5% usage. This vertical approach exploited Cincinnati’s defensive coverage schemes.
Daniels posted a 91.3 PFF grade when pressured, completing 3 of 4 attempts for 32 yards and both touchdown passes. His performance under pressure marked significant improvement from sub-50.0 grades in earlier games.
Running Game Analysis
Team Rushing Statistics
| Rushing Stats | Commanders | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Rusher | Jayden Daniels (12-39-1 TD) | Chase Brown (7-62-0 TD) |
| RB1 Production | Brian Robinson Jr. (16-33-1 TD) | Zack Moss (12-58-1 TD) |
| Explosive Play | Austin Ekeler (3-35-1 TD) | Joe Burrow (1-4-0 TD) |
| Team Total | 32 carries, 108 yards, 3 TDs | 20 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD |
| Yards Per Carry | 3.4 | 6.2 |
| Yards After Contact | Daniels: 46 yards | N/A |
| Forced Missed Tackles | Daniels: 3 | N/A |
Cincinnati’s ground game averaged nearly double Washington’s yards per carry, yet Washington scored three rushing touchdowns to Cincinnati’s one. Daniels generated 46 yards after contact, exceeding his total rushing yardage, while forcing three missed tackles.
Jeremy McNichols contributed one carry for one yard, maintaining Washington’s possession-based approach.
Pass Catching Production
Complete Receiving Statistics
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commanders | ||||
| Terry McLaurin | 4 | 100 | 1 | 6 |
| Zach Ertz | 5 | 38 | 0 | 5 |
| Luke McCaffrey | 3 | 44 | 0 | 3 |
| Noah Brown | 3 | 29 | 0 | 3 |
| Austin Ekeler | 2 | 22 | 0 | 2 |
| Dyami Brown | 2 | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Trent Scott | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bengals | ||||
| Ja’Marr Chase | 6 | 118 | 2 | 7 |
| Andrei Iosivas | 5 | 52 | 1 | 7 |
| Mike Gesicki | 4 | 47 | 0 | 5 |
| Tee Higgins | 3 | 39 | 0 | 6 |
| Zack Moss | 5 | 39 | 0 | 6 |
| Erick All Jr. | 4 | 22 | 0 | 4 |
| Chase Brown | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
Key Reception Details
McLaurin’s 27-yard touchdown reception with 2:10 remaining had a 10.3% completion probability according to NFL Next Gen Stats, ranking as the most difficult completion league-wide through three weeks.
Offensive tackle Trent Scott’s 1-yard touchdown catch came when Cincinnati’s defense appeared “discombobulated” according to Daniels’ postgame comments.
Joe Burrow’s touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase marked his 100th career touchdown, reaching the milestone in his 55th game, tying for seventh-fastest in NFL history.
Defensive Performance Metrics
Tackle Leaders and Pass Rush
| Defensive Stats | Commanders | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Tackler | Bobby Wagner (8 total, 7 solo) | Germaine Pratt (9 total, 6 solo) |
| Top Pass Rusher | Javontae Jean-Baptiste (1.0 sack) | Trey Hendrickson (1.0 sack) |
| Team Sacks | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Tackles for Loss | 3 | 1 |
| QB Hits | 5 | 4 |
| Pass Breakups | 3 | 0 |
| Pass Rush Win Rate | N/A | 22.6% |
Individual Defensive Performances
Washington Defense Top Tacklers:
- Bobby Wagner: 8 tackles (7 solo)
- Frankie Luvu: 7 tackles (3 solo)
- Mike Sainristil: 6 tackles (5 solo)
- Noah Igbinoghene: 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL
- Benjamin St-Juste: 6 tackles (4 solo)
- Quan Martin: 6 tackles (2 solo)
Cincinnati’s Mike Hilton posted a 77.3 PFF grade, the only Bengals defender among the team’s five highest-graded players. Four of Cincinnati’s top five grades came from offensive players: Burrow (78.3), Zack Moss (70.9), Mike Gesicki (70.9), and Ja’Marr Chase (70.6).
Special Teams Impact
Kicking and Return Game
| Special Teams | Commanders | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | Austin Seibert: 1/1 (42 yards) | Evan McPherson: 2/3 (missed 48) |
| Extra Points | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| Kickoff Returns | 2 for 87 yards | 5 for 129 yards |
| Long Return | Ekeler: 62 yards | 29 yards |
| Return Average | 43.5 yards | 25.8 yards |
Austin Ekeler’s 62-yard kickoff return marked Washington’s longest since 2021, setting up a touchdown drive. Noah Igbinoghene added a 25-yard return. McPherson’s missed 48-yard field goal in the second quarter proved costly in a five-point game.
Game Management Statistics
Situational Football
| Category | Commanders | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5/9 (55.6%) | 6/10 (60%) |
| 4th Down Conversions | 3/3 (100%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 3/3 (100%) | 2/4 (50%) |
| Time of Possession | 33:06 | 26:54 |
| Total Plays | 57 | 60 |
| Yards Per Play | 6.2 | 7.3 |
| Total Yards | 356 | 436 |
| First Downs | 22 | 30 |
Washington’s perfect red zone efficiency contrasted with Cincinnati’s 50% rate. Combined with McPherson’s missed field goal, these red zone failures accounted for the margin of victory.
2025 Season Context Update
Ten months after this historic game, both franchises face different trajectories. Washington’s investment in Daniels continues paying dividends as they compete for an NFC playoff spot. Cincinnati restructured their defensive coaching staff following their 0-3 start that derailed their 2024 campaign.
For current season comparisons, see Cincinnati’s recent performance against Kansas City and Washington’s divisional matchup with Dallas.
Game Officials and Broadcast Information
Attendance: 66,207
Broadcast: ABC/ESPN+
Referee Crew: Led by Sarah Thomas, including Rick Patterson, Brad Allen, Chad Hill, Duane Heydt, Walter Flowers, and Tyree Walton
Historical Significance
This game established multiple records and milestones:
- First Super Bowl era game without punts or turnovers
- Jayden Daniels’ 91.3% completion percentage (NFL rookie record)
- Daniels’ 95.9 PFF grade (highest by Washington QB since 2006)
- Joe Burrow’s 100th career touchdown pass
- Washington scored on every possession except kneel-downs
Pro Football Reference documents this game’s unique place in NFL history. The unprecedented offensive efficiency created a blueprint for modern NFL offenses prioritizing ball security and scoring efficiency.
NFL.com’s analysis highlighted how rule changes and offensive evolution contributed to this historic performance.
Statistical Analysis Summary
Cincinnati outgained Washington 436-356 in total yards and averaged 7.3 yards per play compared to Washington’s 6.2. Yet Washington won by five points through superior execution in scoring situations.
The game demonstrated how traditional yardage statistics don’t always determine outcomes. Washington’s three red zone touchdowns versus Cincinnati’s two, combined with special teams advantages and kicking game execution, created the winning margin.
Daniels’ rookie season continued with this signature performance, establishing him as Washington’s franchise quarterback. His 77.4 PFF rushing grade complemented elite passing efficiency, creating dual-threat problems for defenses.
Cincinnati’s defensive struggles, particularly their 22.6% pass rush win rate, allowed Daniels time to operate. Despite Burrow’s strong performance and achieving his 100th career touchdown milestone, the defense couldn’t generate necessary stops.
This Week 3 matchup between Washington and Cincinnati produced offensive statistics unlike any previous NFL game, setting new standards for efficiency while highlighting the importance of situational football execution.
