At 0-3, NFL statistical history suggests that the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season might already be over. That’s right. We haven’t left September yet, and a Cincinnati team many pegged for Super Bowl 59 likely won’t even make the playoffs.
But the Bengals’ futility was just one of two huge stories from Monday night.
The other was Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who finally broke out as the player who officially buried the Bengals with their 0-3 record. Daniels was remarkable, accounting for 293 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) while completing an astonishing 91 percent of his passes. Perhaps even more impressively, Daniels outdueled Joe Burrow in the midst of his own terrific performance in his house.
After the game, while star Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase was clearly upset by the deep hole his team dug itself, he couldn’t help but effusively praise the fellow LSU alumnus in Daniels.
(Warning: NSFW language below.)
Ja’Marr Chase on Jayden Daniels: “He’s a great f’ing player. I’m not gonna lie.”
(🎥 @Trags) pic.twitter.com/EJMSAyvewi https://t.co/2Nl9od6lt7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 24, 2024
Talk about great sportsmanship from Chase. He knows his Bengals team is practically fighting an uphill battle just to stay relevant now, but he also won’t lie to himself. Sometimes, the other guys, like Daniels, look terrific.
All you can do is give them their props.