Washington’s preseason showdown with Cincinnati offered a crisp read on fantasy implications: Brian Robinson Jr. sat out in a mutual decision as rumors swirled about a potential Commanders deal, while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt absorbed a heavy workload and flashed a 27-yard score that electrified Washington’s backfield chatter. Cincinnati rode Joe Burrow's offense to a 31-17 win, and Mitchell Tinsley stole the highlight reel with two acrobatic, high-difficulty TD catches that underscored his preseason revenge arc. The Bengals’ defense tightened late, snagging two interceptions, including a Barrett Carter pick by a rookie linebacker, signaling a multi-layered game for fantasy scouts.

From a data-first lens, PFF graders waved through the action, promising a deeper post-game read tomorrow. Early box-score data showed the Bengals outpaced Washington on several metrics, with the offense clicking on multiple drives and the red-zone figures yielding a split that mirrors the deeper roster competition. The standout performance by the third-year Bengals wideout, who hauled five catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted a receiver who can swing fantasy expectations if the volume sticks in the next tune-up. In short, the narratives around backfield workload, rookie showcases, and veteran passer dynamics created a fertile ground for sharp dynasty and DFS angles as the preseason unfolds.