Bengals win beats Commanders in preseason

A preseason win over the Commanders shines light on receiver depth while the defense again struggles and Burrow endures a rough stretch.

Burrow’s uneven night highlights three Bengals standouts and a faltering defense

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Washington Commanders 31-17 in Monday night’s preseason game. It was a meaningful win for a team chasing a fresh start, and it marked the Bengals’ first preseason victory since 2022. Burrow left the field healthy, and Mitch Tinsley delivered two spectacular touchdowns, signaling he has earned a real shot to make the roster. Charlie Jones added four catches for 32 yards and a 13-yard TD, showing he can contribute immediately. The return game also looked solid with Jones, who could handle kickoff and punt duties if needed.

On the downside, the starting defense was dominated at the line of scrimmage, surrendering long gains and failing to bottle up drives. The team allowed explosive plays and big runs, and the issue persisted even with a couple of players missing. Burrow took a hit and was sacked, a reminder that the unit still has to address its pass rush and interior line. There is also uncertainty around left guard Lucas Patrick, who left the game with an injury and was replaced by rookie Jalen Rivers. The team is evaluating options as Dalton Risner visits this week. The defense’s struggles could complicate plans in the AFC North. The Hendrickson contract situation also looms, as the team weighs trade options while seeking a deal closer to Week 1.

This result exposes a central tension for Cincinnati: how to build momentum in the season while solving a fragile front line. The depth at receiver looks promising, with Tinsley and Jones proving they can contribute when asked. That depth buys time for a run-heavy offense that needs reliable targets beyond the top trio.

Yet the defense remains a concern. If the starting unit can’t hold up in a league built on the run, the team could struggle against stronger offenses. The Hendrickson contract chatter adds a fiscal layer to football, reminding fans that roster decisions come with dollar signs and draft assets. The next preseason games will test whether Cincinnati can fix the gaps up front and whether young players like Barrett Carter can translate practice pageantry into real-game impact. The path to Week 1 will require disciplined adjustment and clear development in both trenches and discipline.

Highlights

The Bengals head toward Week 1 with questions to answer and momentum to ride, depending on how quickly they fix the front and translate preseason gains into regular-season consistency.