Ashburn, Va. — Monday night’s matchup with the Bengals served two purposes for Washington: gauging Dan Quinn’s group after a flat debut in New England and giving the starters one final tune-up before Week 1 at the New York Giants on Sept. 7. The 31–17 result won’t sparkle, but the Commanders still checked both boxes and left with clear positives — and some concerns — to address in practice.
Stock Up
Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, RB
The rookie continued his strong August with 11 carries for 46 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown that lit up Northwest Stadium. On that score, he pressed the hole patiently, followed his blockers, then bounced outside with burst. With Brian Robinson Jr. sitting amid trade speculation, Croskey-Merritt made the most of his opportunity.
Washington’s offensive line played without LT Laremy Tunsil and RG Sam Cosmi, yet still paved the way for 185 rushing yards. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ripped off a 40-yard burst, Deebo Samuel added a 19-yard jet sweep, and Jayden Daniels capped the opening drive with a 14-yard touchdown keeper. Rookie first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. looked the part at right tackle, anchoring the edge with poise. Pass protection wasn’t flawless, but the unit’s physicality and movement were a major step forward from Week 1.
Defensive front
Defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne, along with ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Dorance Armstrong Jr., made life uncomfortable for Joe Burrow despite Cincinnati scoring on its first two drives. Armstrong and Payne combined for a 17-yard sack that forced a punt, and the line consistently collapsed the pocket. A Frankie Luvu neutral-zone infraction on fourth down extended the Bengals’ opening series, but overall, the front showed why it can be the foundation of this defense.
John Bates, TE
Bates doesn’t grab headlines, but his value was on full display. He sealed the edge on Croskey-Merritt’s touchdown and Samuel’s sweep, and he slipped out as a reliable outlet when called upon. With Zach Ertz expected to handle most of the receiving load, Bates’ blocking and versatility remain vital to the offense.
Deebo Samuel, WR
On his very first touch in burgundy and gold, Samuel ripped a 19-yard jet sweep that stretched Cincinnati’s defense and energized the crowd. His brief cameo gave a glimpse of how Kliff Kingsbury plans to use him in multiple roles this season.
Sadly, the Sam Hartman experience seems to be coming to an end. He finished just 4-of-10 for 29 yards with an interception, and the turnover came at a brutal time, setting up a Bengals touchdown just before halftime. Several throws lacked timing and anticipation, and it’s clear he’s got some work to do in the arm strength category. Several missed opportunities led to stalled drives and missed opportunities. While he did connect on a few sideline passes, Hartman left the impression of a quarterback still learning the ropes under pressure. His future looks to be on the practice squad for 2025 as he continues to develop.
Defensive depth
Washington’s defensive reserves were exposed once the starters rotated out. Jake Browning exploited soft coverage and connected twice with Mitchell Tinsley for touchdowns, stretching what had been a tight game into a halftime deficit. Missed tackles and blown assignments plagued the group, raising concerns about how well the second string can hold up if injuries strike. The starting defense has bite, but the reserves showed there is little margin for error behind them.
Special teams
Special teams remain an area of concern after a sloppy night. Matt Gay’s opening kickoff only reached the 12-yard line, and Charlie Jones returned it 30 yards to give Cincinnati excellent field position right away. Gay was perfect on his field goals and extra points, but his kickoffs lacked depth, consistently leaving coverage units under pressure. Poor lane discipline compounded the issue, as Washington gave up too much hidden yardage in an era of the dynamic kickoff, where starting field position can flip in an instant. It’s hard to feel confident that Week 1’s nightmare special teams outing was fixed in Week 2.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB
Robinson was inactive and did not appear at the stadium, with reports surfacing before kickoff that the Commanders are exploring trade options. With Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez both producing, Robinson’s future in Washington appears increasingly likely to be at its end.
Final Word
Washington will take encouragement from its improved offensive identity — a ground game powered by a stronger line and a quarterback who can threaten with his legs — and from a defensive front capable of creating havoc. At the same time, the backup defense, special teams, and quarterback depth all remain concerns. With roster cuts looming, this film could prove decisive for several players fighting to stick around.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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