The Washington Commanders are playing at Northwest Stadium for the first time this season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Check back to this blog for updates and stats from the game.
8:08 p.m.
And we're off! The Bengals have won the toss and will receive. We're going to see how Trey Amos and the rest of the starting defense performs against Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense. Should be a great test for all the new additions.
8:12 p.m.
Bengals will start at their own 42-yard line. Progress from the first preseason game for sure.
8:15 p.m.
Missed opportunity there. Washington had the Bengals in a fourth-down scenario, but Frankie Luvu jumped offsides. Tough.
8:22 p.m.
Touchdown Bengals. Chase Brown runs it from one yard out on fourth down. The Commanders had two opportunities to get the Bengals off the field but couldn't. The biggest plays: a neutral zone infraction on fourth down and a pass interference call on Noah Igbinoghene. Like the Patriots game, penalties played a big role.
8:29 p.m.
Well that didn't take long. The Commanders responded with a four-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a run by Jayden Daniels into the end zone. That will likely end Daniels' night.
8:30 p.m.
The Commanders showed off how versatile their running game is going to be this year. Their first play was a jet sweep to Deebo Samuel that resulted in a 19-yard gain by Deebo Samuel. The big play was the 40-yarder by Chris Rodriguez, but Tyler Biadasz deserves a lot for credit for cutting off the linebacker to open up that play.
8:37 p.m.
You can really tell how much better the defense is, particularly the pass rush. They just corralled Burrow for a sack to force a three-and-out.
Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium during their Week 2 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
8:40 p.m.
NFL, meet Bill Croskey-Merritt. He just ran it in for a 27-yard touchdown. And the crowd goes wild.
8:53 p.m.
That's it for the end of the first quarter. The starters are done for the night, but you have to feel good about the group played. The running game was efficient and ripped off yards in chunks with 106 yards on six carries. Also, the Commanders pass rush is really getting after Burrow.
9:08 p.m.
This running game is still really fun to watch. It's been led by Chris Rodriguez, who is taking advantage of his opportunity as the starting running back with 62 yards on six carries.
9:11 p.m.
Although there are still problems with the Commanders' defense (important to remember all the starters weren't on the field) they are clearly better, particularly against the run. The defensive front is flying to the ball and shutting down running lanes.
9:17 p.m.
You can really tell how different the energy is on defense. Tyler Owens flew across the field to deliver a lick to Tahj Brooks. Receivers are still getting open in the secondary, but most of them haven't come easily because of Washington's man coverage.
9:26 p.m.
Duke Riley almost had a crazy heads-up play and nearly had a fumble returned for a touchdown. Clelin Ferrell knocked the ball from Jake Browning's hands, and while most players on the field thought it was an incomplete pass, Riley scooped it up and headed for the end zone. The ball was eventually ruled incomplete, but it was a good moment from Riley to try and make a play.
9:31 p.m.
Touchdown Bengals. Mitchell Tinsley makes the grab in the corner of the end zone to put Cincy up 21-14 at the end of the first half. Also, shout out Tinsley, who spent some time with Washington to start his career.
9:48 p.m.
We're about to start the second half, and it'll be important for the Commanders to get back on track with the starters on the bench. Sam Hartman will likely play for the rest of the game, and he has some room to grow after throwing an interception in the closing seconds of the first half. Mitchell Tinsley single-handedly gave the Bengals a two-score lead with two improbable catches in the end zone.
10:02 p.m.
Although much of the attention is on Croskey-Merritt, fellow rookie Jaylin Lane has put together a strong night as well. He leads the team with 42-yards on three catches, including a tough 12-yard catch from Sam Hartman through a pass interference call.
