Joe Burrow led two scoring drives, an undrafted wide receiver caught two touchdowns and the Cincinnati Bengals won their first preseason game of 2025 on Monday, beating the Washington Commanders 31-17 at Northwest Stadium.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt will make his debut this season for the Commanders, but he wants NFL fans to call him by his preferred name.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor isn’t putting as much stock in what he’s seeing from his defense this preseason, but the snaps with starters on the field haven’t looked good.

Cin_Tinsley 13 pass from Browning (McPherson kick), :34. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 00:49. Key Plays: Browning 23 pass to Tinsley; Browning 20 pass to Pryor on 3rd-and-6. Cincinnati 21, Washington 14.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), left, and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrate a sack in the second quarter during a Week 16 NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Scott Satterfield is hoping Cincinnati’s third season as a Power Four program ends with a bowl bid and more signs of growth

Zac Taylor explains plan on who will and won't play on Aug. 18 Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders

The Bengals are down a few notable players as they prepare to face the Washington Commanders in preseason action on Monday night. Head coach Zac Ta