Landover — The Washington Commanders preseason continues Monday with an opportunity to build momentum after a lopsided opening loss, as they host the Cincinnati Bengals at Northwest Stadium in a nationally televised matchup set for 8 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN. Coming off a 48-18 defeat to the New England Patriots on August 8 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Commanders aim to refine their execution against a Bengals team that has adopted a more aggressive approach to exhibition games this year.
Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen joined the “Get Loud” podcast with Michael Jenkins and Fred Smoot to discuss how the Bengals’ preseason lineup will help Washington in the long run. “It’s one of those teams with elite quarterbacking, elite wide receiving,” Smoot said. “They have a good offensive line. They can run the ball. So, it’s a great test for the defense.”
While Washington opted to sit starters for the preseason opener, the Bengals have taken a different approach, choosing instead to give the ones reps before the regular season kicks off. Paulsen added to Smoot’s point that giving players the opportunity to matchup with starters on the oppositional team throughout the preseason will be beneficial in terms of growth and could help solidify spots on the roster. “Seeing Ja’Marr Chase in the first preseason game they had was kind of mind blowing,” Paulsen said. “You’re not worried about this dude getting hurt? If he’s playing, great for Trey Amos, great for Marshon Lattimore. Let’s get those reps. Let’s see how well you can play that man coverage and against arguably one of the best passing quarterbacks in the NFL.”
Moving into the game against Cincinnati, Paulsen and Smoot brought up the improvements they were looking for. “I just want to see an efficient start,” Paulsen said. “Can we compete with the football? Can we run efficiently with the football? I actually thought the offensive line played really well. I know a lot of backs played really well against New England. Can that continue? Can we build on that?” On what he wants to see from the Commanders, Smoot said he wants them to “get in, get the plays, get the ball moving. On defense, three and outs. Can we make plays?”
Smoot and Paulsen agreed that they also wanted to see a match in energy from what they’ve been watching in training camp throughout the week. “Everything we’ve seen in practice, let’s see it on the field.” Paulsen said. “I mean, that’s really as simple as it is. Like these practices have been incredibly sharp. Let’s bring that to the game on Monday.” As Washington looks to increase their depth to their roster and players look to solidify their spots, this game against the Bengals will offer clarity with just a few short weeks left of the preseason.
The Washington Commanders preseason schedule includes this home contest as the second of three exhibition games, with a finale against the Baltimore Ravens on August 23. Under head coach Dan Quinn, who holds a 7-18 straight-up record in preseason games from prior stints, the team is focusing on development following a challenging 2024 campaign that saw them finish 4-13.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, selected second overall in the 2024 draft from Louisiana State University, did not play in the opener but could see limited action Monday, marking his first NFL encounter against fellow LSU alumnus Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ starter. Burrow, recovering from a 2024 wrist injury that limited him to 10 games, participated in Cincinnati’s preseason debut, a 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on August 9, where he completed five of seven passes for 51 yards.
Cincinnati’s shift in preseason strategy stems from head coach Zac Taylor’s decision to increase starter reps to combat slow regular-season starts, a pattern that has plagued the team in recent years. Taylor, previously 3-13 straight-up in preseason contests, aims for sharper execution from Week 1, with Burrow and receivers like Chase expected to play a couple of drives. This provides a stern test for the Commanders’ secondary, including cornerbacks Amos and Lattimore, acquired in an offseason trade from the New Orleans Saints. Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, nearly intercepted a pass in limited snaps against New England but seeks to demonstrate full health after injury-plagued seasons.
Defensively, Washington allowed 498 yards to the Patriots, prompting calls for improved tackling and pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined for 92 yards on 18 carries, a positive noted by Paulsen, but the unit committed three turnovers. The Bengals, who ranked eighth in total offense last season at 352.1 yards per game, return key pieces like running back Joe Mixon and tight end Hayden Hurst, adding depth to their attack.
This Washington Commanders preseason game also serves as a roster evaluation point, with cuts looming before the August 26 deadline to trim to 53 players. Undrafted free agents and bubble players like wide receiver Kazmeir Allen and linebacker Kain Medrano, a sixth-round pick detailed in a draft recap will vie for spots. Betting lines favor Cincinnati by 2.5 points, with an over-under of 36.5, reflecting the Bengals’ depth despite both teams’ 0-1 preseason records.
As the Washington Commanders preseason progresses, this matchup offers insights into Quinn’s rebuilding efforts, blending youth with veterans like defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and wide receiver Terry McLaurin.