5 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 3 at the Bengals
By Dean Jones
The Washington Commanders aren't where they need to be just yet. Gaining a victory over the division rival New York Giants - albeit with a walk-off field goal - was a step in the right direction. They'll need a much better performance to secure the same outcome in Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
Cincinnati is 0-2, but they are notoriously slow starters under head coach Zac Taylor. They have enough firepower on both sides of the football to cause the Commanders endless complications. This is also the first primetime game for Washington under the new regime, which brings an additional sense of prestige and pressure.
Dan Quinn is about to embark on arguably his toughest stretch of games throughout the campaign. It's a tremendous early measuring stick for the Commanders, but the onus is on coaches and players alike to be more competitive and prove they are no longer the laughingstock of previous years.
It promises to be a fascinating contest. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players on the hot seat entering their Week 3 game at Paycor Stadium.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 3 at Bengals
Michael Davis - Commanders CB
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is back in practice after surgery to repair a torn UCL in his thumb. Whether this Monday's clash with the Cincinnati Bengals comes too soon for the former first-round selection is another matter.
If Forbes cannot go, then Michael Davis will once again be tasked with prominent responsibilities. Many fans wondered why the veteran free-agent signing didn't log a single defensive snap in Week 1. After watching his performance against the New York Giants last time out, it became crystal clear.
Davis was inept in coverage and seemed to forget how to tackle. That might be enough for the Commanders to go with Noah Igbinoghene permanently, but the team's lack of cornerback depth should ensure he gets some involvement.
The Bengals have a potent passing attack and should be getting Tee Higgins back from injury. Unless Davis shows some mettle and improves with the national spotlight glaring, it could be another long evening for Washington's underperforming defense.