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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt’s comments about the Washington Commanders’ offense and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels drew the ire of his head coach following Monday night’s 38-33 home loss.
In the lead-up to last week’s game, Taylor-Britt told reporters the following, suggesting that Daniels’ early success as a freshman was largely due to a simplistic offense:
“They don’t force (Daniels) too much. They keep it really simple for him. Good college offense, (Kliff) Kingsbury, the OC, so they love moving guys here and there, but just keep it really simple for him. I’ve heard his passing percentage is really high, but he only throws short routes, some intermediate throws, quick throws.”
BenBaby @Ben_Baby
Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt analyzed the game of Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels: “They don’t ask much of him. They make it really easy for him. Good college offense. (Kliff) Kingsbury is the OC.” pic.twitter.com/CeJKATlzmF
Bengals coach Zac Taylor made it clear after Monday’s game that he had a problem with Taylor-Britt’s comments: “That’s not what we do. We praise our own team, praise the other team. We don’t have to take throws like that. This team hasn’t punted in two weeks. They’ve scored on every single possession for the last two weeks.”
Taylor-Britt did not regret his comments to reporters and reiterated his belief that Washington runs a college-style offense:
“No, ma’am, I don’t regret it. And I didn’t mean any harm by the comment, it was just blown out of proportion. Yes, I can definitely take back what I said. We actually took a loss today. It was a college-style offense. Very quick, quick throws. He’s very athletic and extends plays. That’s how the game went, they stuck to their plan.”
Kelsey Conway @KelseyLConway
Cam Taylor-Britt on his comments about the Commanders’ offense before the game and whether he regrets it: pic.twitter.com/7NmcLAbhdG
Regardless of how the Commanders’ offense is classified, it was highly effective on Monday: Washington managed a total of 356 yards, converted five of its nine third-down attempts and managed 3 of 3 fourth downs.
Daniels also delivered the best statistical game of his young career, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while also running for 39 yards and scoring a touchdown.
According to ESPN Adam SchefterDaniels set an NFL rookie record for single-game efficiency on Monday, as his 91.3 percent completion rate was the best ever by a rookie who threw at least 20 passes in a game.
While Kingsbury’s accuracy undoubtedly increased by planning quick shots and getting the ball out of Daniels’ hands quickly, Daniels also made some great shots.
On the Commanders’ final drive of the game – aside from a few knee drops – Daniels completed a huge 4th-and-4 pass to tight end Zach Ertz to keep the chains moving.
Just four plays later, the Commanders went aggressive on a 3rd-and-7: Daniels ran up to wide receiver Terry McLaurin and threw him for a 27-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 12 with 2:10 left and the game virtually out of reach.
Perhaps most impressively, the Commanders took 7:32 off the clock on this drive, giving the Bengals barely any time to score twice.
The Bengals made it into the end zone once against Washington’s prevent defense, but the Commanders then recovered the onside kick, which decided the game.
Cincinnati wasted a great game by quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns and did not intercept a single pass in the game, while wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase managed 118 yards and two touchdowns on six catches.
Normally, this kind of attacking performance is more than enough to secure a win, but the Commanders’ offense was a bit better and one can certainly wonder whether Taylor-Britt’s comments provided additional motivation for Daniels, Kingsbury and Co.
