(Video) Joe Burrow Gets Taken Down Brutally by Commanders’ Defense After Trying Too Hard in Preseason Game, O-Line Gets Exposed

The Bengals offensive line struggled to protect Joe Burrow from the Commanders defense.

(Video) Joe Burrow Gets Taken Down Brutally by Commanders’ Defense After Trying Too Hard in Preseason Game, O-Line Gets Exposed

Joe Burrow gets tackled by Commanders defenders (Image via IMAGO/x)

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Joe Burrow was lucky to escape without any injuries on Monday when the Bengals played the Washington Commanders. His offensive linemen were helpless in the face of the Commanders’ defense.

Burrow set up halfback Chase Brown to open the scoring in the game. Jayden Daniels restored parity for the Commanders with a touchdown run.

Gradually, the momentum shifted in favor of the Commanders. Coach Dan Quinn began pushing the Bengals’ offensive line through frequent aggressive pass rushes.

They successfully brought down Burrow twice. The two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year landed awkwardly on both occasions, elevating the pressure levels in the blood of the Bengals fans.

Of course, the Bengals have a very capable backup in Jake Browning, but Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks of the current generation. Losing Burrow would be a big blow to the Bengals’ morale. Even more so considering they might have to trade their best defensive player due to contract disputes.

It’s concerning to see Burrow scrambling for life even though Taylor fielded the starters in the game. Ted Karras, Orlando Brown Jr., and Amarius Mims played from the first whistle, and yet the Commanders sacked Burrow multiple times.

In 2024, Pro Football Focus ranked the Bengals as having the 29th-best offensive line. They predicted that the additions of Lucas Patrick and third-round draft pick Dylan Fairchild might not significantly improve the unit.

The Bengals ranked 29th in both PFF pass-blocking grade and PFF run-blocking grade last season, and it doesn’t appear that they will fare much better in 2025. Center Ted Karras is the only returning player from last season who earned at least a 60.0 PFF overall grade. Left tackle Amarius Mims underwhelmed in his rookie season. The lowest-graded guard unit in football added only third-round pick Dylan Fairchild and veteran Lucas Patrick, who earned a 64.6 PFF grade in New Orleans in 2024.

On the other hand, fans argued that Burrow took unnecessary risks by holding onto the ball for too long. He approached the fixture like a regular-season game, even though it’s still the preseason.

Burrow showed a moment of magic by lobbing a four-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Jones.

Taylor did not waste any time and took Burrow out of the game. Browning walked in and threw two touchdowns, both to WR Mitchell Tinsley.

Zac Taylor reacted to Joe Burrow taking hits

The game finished with a 31-17 victory for the Bengals. Burrow racked up 9 completions for 62 yards and one touchdown, while Browning threw 16 completions for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns.

(Video) Joe Burrow Gets Taken Down Brutally by Commanders' Defense After Trying Too Hard in Preseason Game, O-Line Gets Exposed
Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

During the post-game presser, reporters asked Taylor about Burrow taking hits from the Commanders’ defenders.

Do I love seeing that? No. I don’t. But at the same time, he’s out there, learning what he can and can’t do. We have seen him get out of that stuff before; that’s why he’s in the preseason. The chance to feel what it’s like to be in a game. There are times when he’s gonna get out of that and make a big play and there’s gonna be times we are at a tough spot at a two-yard line. He gets the chance to feel that.

Zac Taylor said via Jeremy Rauch

Burrow had a historic campaign in 2024. He threw 460 completions for 4918 yards and 44 overall touchdowns.

The Bengals end their preseason adventure by hosting the Indianapolis Colts before facing the Cleveland Browns in week one of the regular season.

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