Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Josh Allen both shined Monday night as they each led their teams to impressive victories to cap Week 3.
Daniels, the second overall pick in April’s draft, was stellar in the Washington Commanders’ thrilling 38-33 upset of the Cincinnati Bengals. He completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
His second touchdown was the play of the game and perhaps the night.
With the Commanders holding a slim 31-26 lead, and after having just converted a fourth down earlier in the drive, Daniels was staring down a 3rd-and-7 at the Bengals’ 27-yard line. As a pass rusher bore down on him, Daniels absorbed a hit and uncorked a perfect pass to Terry McLaurin down the right sideline. McLaurin made a diving catch in the end zone for what ended up being the game-clinching score with just over two minutes left.
The surprising Commanders improved to 2-1 with the victory.
Meanwhile, the Bengals fell to 0-3 with the loss, a shocking start for a team many thought would be an AFC contender. After an opening-week loss to the New England Patriots, Cincinnati has now lost twice this season as a considerable home favorite.
No team has ever won a Super Bowl after starting 0-3.
The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, are an AFC contender who took care of business at home.
The Bills walloped the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10. Buffalo scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, taking a 34-10 lead into halftime.
Allen was dominant, throwing for 263 yards on 23-of-30 passing. He threw for four touchdowns — all of them in the first half. He also threw for 247 yards in the first half, more than the Jaguars’ full-game total of 239. Six different Bills scored touchdowns.
On the other side, it’s the eighth straight loss for quarterback Trevor Lawrence dating to last season. He was inefficient Monday, throwing for only 178 yards on 38 attempts. He also threw an interception — which was the first career pick for Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin.
Like the Bengals, Jacksonville fell to 0-3 with the loss.
The Bills remained undefeated at 3-0 and look like one of the best teams in the league.
Respect from both QBs
Bizarre stat sums up Commanders-Bengals
Just how good were both offenses? It was the first NFL game since 1940 with no turnovers or punts.
Commanders defeat Bengals 38-33 on 'MNF'
Jayden Daniels had the biggest game of his young career, throwing for 254 yards and two scores while also rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown. His 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with just over two minutes remaining was the difference.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow had 324 yards passing and three touchdowns in defeat.
Washington moves to 2-1 on the season while Cincinnati is 0-3 for the first time since 2021.
Jayden Daniels puts game nearly out of reach for Commanders
The rookie QB is the real deal. His 27-yard strike to Terry McLaurin with 2 minutes remaining put the Commanders up 12 points. This game is all but over.
Huge 4th-down pickup by Daniels
Final: Bills 47, Jaguars 10
This one was over after the first quarter? Maybe after the Bills’ first two drives? Their first drive?
Buffalo scored five touchdowns and a field goal on six straight possessions in an absolute dismantling of the Jaguars on Monday night.
Josh Allen threw for four scores in the first half alone. Damar Hamlin recorded his first career interception.
Allen threw for 263 yards, including 247 in the first half. The Jaguars had 239 yards total.
At no point did it feel close.
Bengals immediately respond
Joe Burrow with a clinical quick drive to pull Cincinnati within five points. He connected with star WR and college teammate Ja'Marr Chase on a 31-yard score. The Bengals went for two but Burrow could not find Tee Higgins in the end zone.
Cincinnati fans clamored for a pass interference call but it did not come.
Commanders 31, Bengals 26 with 9:42 left.
Washington leads by 11 after field goal
Jayden Daniels converted on a 4th-and-1 but the drive later stalled and Washington was forced to kick a field goal. Austin Seibert — who hit seven field goals last week — drilled a 42-yarder to extend the lead to 11.
Commanders 31, Bengals 20 with 11:30 remaining.
Bills score another touchdown
It took only four plays after a Mac Jones fumble for the Bills to score another touchdown.
Ray Davis became the sixth different Bill to record a touchdown tonight. It’s 47-10, Buffalo.
Austin Ekeler ruled out
The Commanders RB had a strong first half, including a touchdown run, but he was ruled out by Washington early in the fourth quarter after being looked at for a possible concussion.