- After an 0-1 start to the preseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are 3.5-point favorites over the Washington Commanders in Week 2.
- The Commanders lost by 30 points to the New England Patriots in Week 1 of the preseason, but actually outgained the Patriots in total yards.
LANDOVER, Md. – The final game of the second week of NFL preseason action kicks off Monday night as the Washington Commanders host the Cincinnati Bengals at 8 PM EST in Northwest Stadium.
Bengals vs Commanders Game Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | -3.5 (-110) | -185 | O 43.0 (-110) |
| Commanders | +3.5 (-110) | +160 | U 43.0 (-110) |
The Bengals are favorites on the road at legal sports betting sites for Monday night’s game, giving Washington three and a half points on the spread.
Both teams have been unimpressive to begin the preseason, but oddsmakers clearly trust Cincinnati more than Washington.
How Much Will The Starters Play?
Fortunately for NFL fans, both teams plan to play their starters for at least a few series in this one.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase played in Week 1 of the preseason and picked up where they left off last season, with four of Burrow’s nine completions going to Chase for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Jayden Daniels and the starters did not appear in Week 1 of the preseason as they lost their opener to the Patriots, but head coach Dan Quinn has confirmed that they will see some action this week.
Preseason Performance
Both teams lost their preseason openers, Cincinnati losing 34-27 against the Eagles while the Commanders were blown out 48-18 by the Patriots.
As previously mentioned, the Bengals played their starters who were able to take an early 14-7 lead, but the backups were not able to hold on.
Backup quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Jake Browning went a combined 13-30 for 153 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception after Burrow exited the game.
Their defense showed minimal resistance, allowing over 400 yards of total offense and 34 points to the Eagles second and third string offense.
Meanwhile, the Commanders suffered a 30 point loss to New England, but actually outgained them on offense 338 to 327 total yards.
However, they lost the penalty and turnover battles, totalling 93 penalty yards and giving away two turnovers compared to the Patriots’ one.
Betting Angle
Neither team’s backups have shown much promise through the first week of the preseason, but Washington was able to limit yardage much more effectively than the Bengals, allowing over 100 less total yards while facing the Patriots starters for a series or two.
The Bengals’ Week 1 loss even after the starters accrued an early lead is cause for concern, especially now that they will face another team’s starting unit to begin the game.
The best pick here is Washington to win outright at +160 odds at home on NFL betting sites. Preseason games can be unpredictable and taking the home team is never a bad idea.
