WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders stunned the world when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 on Monday Night Football in Week 3.
The win itself was impressive. However, it was the way the Commanders got the win that added to the natural wonder that comes when nobody gives one NFL roster a shot at beating another perceived to be better by a large margin.
On top of an NFL and franchise-record, 9% completion rate by Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team also has a streak of 14 consecutive scoring drives. A streak that hasn’t been seen since at least the 2000 season and dates back to the last possession of the Commanders’ Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s that streak that embodies just how surprisingly effective the offense has been through three games. And it’s something that even Washington head coach Dan Quinn has to admit the team didn’t see coming.
“We definitely could not have seen that. What we did know (was) that we'd have to play a complete game,” Quinn said during his exclusive sit down with WUSA9’s Chick Hernandez on Tuesday following the team’s big win in Cincinnati. “Finding our margins, finding the edges, going for it some on fourth down to extend some drives.”
Three times on Monday the Commanders made the bold decision to go for it on fourth down. To be aggressive, just like Quinn wants, and exactly how the players want to approach every game.
The first time came in the first quarter on a 4th and 2 at the Bengals’ 30-yard line. While it was certainly in range for kicker Austin Seibert, Quinn made the call to go for it because he wanted touchdowns after settling for seven field goals in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
Daniels delivered with a pass to rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey, a gain of 30 yards, and a new set of downs at the Cincinnati two-yard line. Two plays later Washington had its first touchdown of the night.
Quinn didn’t have to go for it on fourth down again until the fourth quarter when his offense faced 4th and 1 from the Bengals’ 33-yard line. Holding a 28-20 lead at the time there was surely a good amount of people yelling for Quinn to take the field goal. But he chose to trust Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Again they delivered, this time with the quarterback running it for four yards. Four plays later Quinn did settle for the field goal, a closer one, and a 31-20 lead.
His final fourth down call came on the edge of field goal range in a five-point game. On 4th and 4 from the Cincinnati 39-yard line Quinn faced a decision that has resulted in many a missed field goal turning into good field position for the opponent, or a punt - oftentimes met with boos and disappointed faces on players and assistant coaches.
Quinn went for it, for the third time, on the road and in primetime. Kingsbury and Daniels again made him right for doing so, and again converted after the rookie quarterback found tight end Zach Ertz for a nine-yard gain.
Three plays later, the play of the game for many, a 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin and the game-sealing score.
Quinn never waivered in his trust of his offense, and because of it, they not only approached each critical moment with confidence but went out and delivered the kind of performance that will only earn them more trust in the future.
It also earned Washington a 2-1 record and the top spot in the NFC East Division for the second straight week. Something nobody saw coming before the Commanders announced themselves to the football world on Monday night.