If you're already marking your calendars for the 2026 NFL season, you might want to circle Week 11 in bold. The Washington Commanders are set to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, and if their last meeting is any indication, this could be one of the most electrifying games of the year.
Let's rewind to Week 3 of the 2024 season—a game that Commanders fans will never forget. Washington, fresh off a 4-13 season and led by a rookie quarterback and a new coaching staff, traveled to Cincinnati as heavy underdogs. The Bengals, despite an 0-2 start, were expected to bounce back. But football doesn't care about expectations.
From the opening kickoff, the Commanders seized control. After a 7-7 first quarter, Washington took the lead in the second and never looked back, stunning the Bengals 38-33. It was the night rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels announced himself to the NFL. The former LSU Heisman winner outdueled fellow Tigers legend Joe Burrow, completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns—setting an NFL rookie record with a completion percentage over 91%. He added 39 yards and a rushing touchdown for good measure. Burrow was stellar too, throwing for 324 yards and three scores, but the night belonged to Daniels.
Now, two years later, these two rising powers will renew their rivalry under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. The NFL clearly knows a good thing when it sees it, and this rematch has all the ingredients for a classic: two young superstar quarterbacks, explosive offenses, and plenty of unfinished business.
Kay Adams, host of "Up & Adams," certainly thinks so. She recently ranked Bengals at Commanders as the No. 4 most anticipated game of the 2026 season, saying: "Highly anticipated. Joe Burrow up against Jayden Daniels. If you need a reminder of what happened, you're looking at it. Monday Night Football, 2024: These two guys combined for over 600 yards of offense and 71 points. Both of these squads will be better."
With both teams expected to be even stronger by 2026, this matchup has the potential to be one of the defining games of the season. So whether you're a Commanders loyalist, a Bengals fan, or just someone who loves great football, make sure you're geared up and ready to watch—because this one is going to be special.