The Washington Redskins got on the board first after safety Montae Nicholson took a tipped Andy Dalton pass 96 yards for a pick-six.
Redskins defensive lineman Daron Payne got his hands up just in time to tip the pass. Nicholson read the play and jumped on the ball before going untouched all the way to the house.
Nicholson capped off a bizarre opening drive for the Redskins. They drew three penalties on two snaps. Jonathan Allen was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a questionable play that gave the Cincinnati Bengals a first down on 2nd-and-16.
On the next snap, Josh Norman was flagged for unnecessary roughness for lowering his target, hitting Giovani Bernard as both appeared to be going for the ball. An upset Norman then argued with the referee, making contact with the official drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In the aftermath, the Bengals netted 30 yards moving the ball to the Redskins’ 14-yard line.
Three snaps later, Montae Nicholson was displaying his speed with the pick-six. He is expected to start at free safety alongside strong safety Landon Collins on the back end of the Redskins defense. If he can continue to show his range on a consistent basis, Nicholson may prove to be the great fit.
