The Washington Commanders lead the Cincinnati Bengals 21-13 at halftime of their Week 3 Monday Night Football game.
The Bengals went on offense first, and it didn’t take quarterback Joe Burrow long to find star receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a 41-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Commanders responded as quarterback Jayden Daniels quickly moved Washington into Cincinnati territory but faced a fourth-and-2 at the Bengals’ 32-yard line.
Instead of settling for a field goal, Quinn went for it, and Daniels found rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey for a 30-yard gain to set up the Commanders with a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. punched it in a few plays later to tie the game.
Washington’s defense finally gets a stop, and kicker Evan McPherson misses a field goal. Daniels and the Commanders went back to work, and running back Austin Ekeler scored from 24 yards out to give Washington a 14-7 lead.
Washington’s defense held Cincinnati to another field goal attempt, but this time, McPherson makes it and trims the lead to 14-10.
The Commanders remained aggressive as Daniels found Terry McLaurin on a 55-yard completion to set up another first-and-goal. Daniels took it into the end zone on the next play, and it was 21-10 Washington.
The Bengals kicked another field goal just before halftime to trim the lead to 21-13.
Daniels completed seven of his eight attempts in the first half for 139 yards. Ekeler had two carries for 32 yards and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 22 yards. The Commanders were outgained 236-205 in total yardage, but their defense made critical stops to force field goal attempts.
Washington will begin the second half with the football.