A rookie quarterback rewrites the record books in Washington's stunning upset of the Bengals, while the Bills overpower the Jaguars: NFL Week 3 Monday recap.

NFL Week 3: Monday Night Recap

Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after connecting with offensive tackle Trent Scott (73) for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Photo by Emilee Chinn/AP.

Rookie QB Shines as Washington Stuns Bengals, Bills Continue Their Dominance

After an electrifying Sunday, NFL Week 3 rolled into Monday with two more matchups, offering plenty for fans to get excited about. Teams were chasing their first win, aiming to stay undefeated, and hoping to see growth from their rookie talent. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights from Monday’s action.

Jayden Daniels Delivers in Prime Time

Every rookie dreams of that breakout moment, and for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Monday night was his.

In an impressive display, Daniels led the Commanders to a 38-33 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Drafted as the No. 2 overall pick, Daniels barely missed a beat, completing 21 of his 23 passes for 254 yards, tossing two touchdowns, and running for another score. It was a near-flawless performance in his first prime-time NFL game.

The 23-year-old showcased both his precision as a passer and his agility on the ground, frustrating the Bengals' defense throughout the night. In addition to leading his team to victory, Daniels etched his name in the history books, posting a 91.3% completion rate, the highest ever for a rookie quarterback in a single game. He also became the first player since 1950 to throw for over 250 yards, multiple touchdowns, rush for a score, and complete 90% or more of his passes.

Daniels accounted for three total touchdowns in the victory against the Bengals. Photo by Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters.

Daniels joined an elite group of rookies, including Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert, as the third first-year QB since 2000 to record both a passing and rushing touchdown in a prime-time game.

“I’m just a competitor,” Daniels said, reflecting on his performance. “To be out there competing at the highest level, it’s a blessing. Not many get this opportunity, and I want to make the most of it every time.”

Daniels capped his stellar night by throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with just over two minutes left, effectively sealing the win for Washington. Despite a late Bengals touchdown, Washington held on for their second victory of the season.

Washington’s Season Gains Momentum, Bengals Struggle

After the game, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn praised his rookie quarterback’s poise under pressure. “He’s calm, collected, and makes great decisions. We saw what he can do in practice, and now it’s translating into games,” Quinn said.

While Washington’s win adds fuel to their season, the Bengals continue to struggle. Cincinnati’s loss drops them to 0-3, a disappointing start for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations. Despite quarterback Joe Burrow's solid play, their defense couldn’t contain Daniels, and the game marked the first since 1940 without a single turnover or punt.

The Bengals have now suffered two surprising home losses, raising questions about their path forward this season. 

Bills Crush Jaguars, Damar Hamlin Secures First Career Interception

Josh Allen's Dominance Leads Bills to 47-10 Victory Over Jaguars

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen delivered a masterclass on Monday, leading his team to a decisive 47-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen was electric in the first half at Highmark Stadium, completing 22 of 28 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns. By halftime, the Bills had built an insurmountable 34-3 lead.

The second half slowed as Buffalo cruised to their third win of the season, improving to 3-0. But beyond the offensive onslaught, one of the most memorable moments came when safety Damar Hamlin, playing in his first Monday night game since suffering a cardiac arrest last year, recorded his first career interception.

Hamlin’s journey back to the field is nothing short of remarkable. After collapsing during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last January following a tackle, medical staff performed life-saving CPR on the field. Diagnosed with commotio cordis— a condition caused by a traumatic blow to the chest that disrupts the heart’s rhythm—Hamlin spent days on a ventilator and over a week in the hospital.

On Monday, Hamlin intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence midway through the second quarter, returning the ball 19 yards and setting the Bills up at the Jacksonville 41-yard line. He celebrated the milestone with his teammates, who have been a key part of his recovery.

“It’s a special feeling,” Hamlin told ESPN. “My teammates were even more excited than I was. They’ve been with me through this entire journey, and the bond we have in Buffalo is something truly unique.”

For Jacksonville, the loss leaves them winless after three games, with little to celebrate. Lawrence struggled to keep up with Allen, throwing for just 178 yards, a single touchdown, and the interception to Hamlin. He was later benched for Mac Jones as the Jaguars sought to avoid injury.

Head coach Doug Pederson didn’t mince words in his post-game comments: “It’s shocking, really. We’re just not a good football team right now, and we need to figure it out fast.”