Commanders vs. Bengals Picks, Predictions & Player Props: Bengals in Decent Shape Despite 0-2 Start

• The Commanders won in Week 2 despite failing to score a touchdown.

• The Washington defense has struggled to defend the pass this season, allowing six passing touchdowns over two weeks.

• Ja’Marr Chase is yet to score a touchdown this season with Cincinnati forced to rely on a young contingent of receivers around him.

The second of two Monday night games in Week 3 of the NFL season features the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Washington Commanders. Both teams have had mixed results during the first two weeks of the season, so handicapping this game is tough, although the 0-2 Bengals surely enter Monday’s game with a lot more desperation.

Commanders vs. Bengals Odds

The Bengals are clear favorites at home over the Commanders. These are the current odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Place your bets at FanDuel to claim $200 in Bonus bets.

Commanders vs. Bengals Pick

• My Pick: Cincinnati to cover 7.5 points at -110 at FanDuel 

While the Commanders are coming off a win last week, they did so by only scoring field goals. In fact, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is yet to throw a passing touchdown in two games. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow has been accurate with the ball and gotten some help from Cincinnati’s young and unproven receivers, which is good news for the Bengals moving forward.

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Commanders vs. Bengals Predictions

Despite a productive rushing attack with Brian Robinson Jr. and Jayden Daniels, the Washington offense is far from a finished product. To his credit, Daniels has completed over 75% of his passes through two games. But he’s yet to throw a touchdown pass while also taking seven sacks. He’s not yet a competent NFL passer, which is why most of Washington’s receiving yards this season have come from running backs and tight end Zach Ertz. 

In addition to a limited offense, the Washington defense has much room for improvement as well. The Commanders were ripped apart for 37 points and nearly 400 yards of offense by the Bucs in Week 1. Things were arguably worse last week when they allowed a much-maligned Giants team led by Daniel Jones to score three touchdowns. That has created serious questions on both sides of the ball heading into Week 3.

In fairness, the Bengals face questions of their own after starting 0-2. Granted, one unfortunate pass-interference call is all that separated them from a win over the Chiefs last week. But it’s hard to completely forget a dreadful performance in a Week 1 loss to the Patriots. Joe Burrow isn’t getting much help from the rushing attack while also relying on a group of largely unproven receivers, allowing teams to focus a lot of energy on Ja’Marr Chase.

The silver lining is the Cincinnati defense showed promise last week. They managed to slow down Patrick Mahomes, forcing two sacks and two interceptions while limiting him to just 151 passing yards. A similar performance this week could help take some of the pressure off Burrow and deliver a much-needed win.

Commanders vs. Bengals Best Player Props

Joe Burrow Over 1.5 Touchdown Passes (-160 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

The Washington defense has already allowed six passing touchdowns this season - four to Baker Mayfield and two to Daniel Jones. While the Commanders have contained the run well, the Bengals are more than comfortable putting the game on Joe Burrow’s shoulders. His brutal performance in Week 1 aside, Burrow looked far more comfortable last week. He should be able to carry over that success against the Commanders, leading to multiple touchdown passes.

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Ja’Marr Chase Anytime Touchdown (+110 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Chase has been kept relatively quiet over the first two weeks of the season. Tee Higgins is hurt and Tyler Boyd is no longer with the Bengals, so opposing teams are free to focus solely on Chase. But Higgins is getting closer to returning while Andrei Iosivas scored two touchdowns last week. That should help take some attention away from Chase. Plus, the Washington secondary hasn’t exactly been able to contain the opposing team’s top receiver early in the season, making this a good time for Chase to score his first touchdown of the season.

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Brian Robinson Jr. Over 53.5 Rushing Yards (-114 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

On top of the Commanders being a run-focused team, the Cincinnati defense is getting shredded on the ground. Rhamondre Stevenson gained 120 rushing yards against the Bengals in Week 1 while Isiah Pacheco collected 90 rushing yards last week before getting hurt. While Jayden Daniels has nearly as many carries as Robinson, backup Austin Ekeler is used more in passing situations, taking just 10 carries compared to 29 for Robinson. Against a porous run defense, look for Robinson to collect far more than 53.5 rushing yards.

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Commanders vs. Bengals How to Watch

• When: Monday, September 23 at 8:15 PM EST

• Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• How to Watch: ABC/ESPN+

Commanders vs. Bengals Best Promos and Sportsbooks

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Commanders vs. Bengals Injuries

Bengals Injuries

• WR Tee Higgins - Questionable

• DT Sheldon Rankins - Questionable

• DT B.J. Hill - Questionable

• DE Myles Murphy - Injured Reserve

Commanders Injuries

• CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Questionable

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