Cincinnati Bengals vs Washington Commanders Picks and Predictions September 23rd 2024

Bengals grapple with another 0-2 start, face Commanders on MNF

The Bengals are heavily favored in their week three matchup against the Commanders, with the money line sitting at -382 for the Bengals and +298 for Washington. The game, set for 8:15 ET on Monday, September 23rd, is being televised on ABC. The Bengals are -7.5 point favorites, and the over/under line is at 48.5 points.

Washington vs. Cincinnati Key Information

• Teams: Commanders at Bengals
• Where: Paycor Stadium Cincinnati
• Date: Monday, September 23rd
• Betting Odds CIN -382 | WAS +298 O/U 48.5

The Commanders Can Win If…

Washington picked up a 21-18 win over the Giants, moving their record to 1-1. The Commanders were down 12-9 at halftime, but they took the lead in the 3rd quarter with a field goal from Austin Seibert and extended it in the 4th quarter, eventually winning by a score of 21-18. Washington was the favorite by -1.5 points, and with the win, they also covered the spread. The combined 39 points was just under the over/under line of 43 points.

Devin Singletary’s 7-yard touchdown gave the Giants a 6-3 lead in the 1st quarter, but Washington responded in the 2nd quarter with a touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Zach Ertz and led 9-6. After the Giants tied it at 12 in the 2nd quarter, the Commanders took the lead for good with a Seibert field goal in the 3rd quarter. Washington added another field goal in the 4th quarter, and the Giants’ last chance ended with an incomplete pass with four seconds left.

The Commanders’ offense picked up 22 first downs in their 21-18 win over the Giants, and they rushed for 215 yards on 35 attempts. Jayden Daniels, who completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards, was sacked five times. Washington didn’t find the endzone through the air, and Daniels finished with a passer rating of 99.

Brian Robinson Jr. had a big game on the ground, rushing for 133 yards, including a 40-yard run. Zach Ertz led the team in receiving with 62 yards on four catches. Washington’s offense collectively gained 304 yards in the game.

In their 21-18 win over the Giants, the Commanders’ defense allowed 175 passing yards on 16 completions. The Giants had a total of 304 yards, with Washington struggling to stop the run, giving up 129 yards on just 22 attempts. They allowed two passing touchdowns and a 50% third-down conversion rate to the Giants.Washington’s defense managed only one sack in the game and had a tough time in the backfield, losing the tackles for loss battle by a margin of -8.

• Across Washington’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across these games, their ATS record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 2-1.
• Washington has put together a record of 1-9 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Washington went 3-7 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Bengals Can Win If…

The Bengals were up 26-25 on the Chiefs with just under a minute left in the 4th quarter of their most recent game, but a late field goal from Harrison Butker gave Kansas City the win. Cincinnati’s record is now 0-2 after their 26-25 loss to the Chiefs. The Bengals were +6.5 point underdogs heading into the game, and their 26-25 loss came after leading 26-25 heading into the 4th quarter.

Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson had a good game, keeping them in it with multiple field goals. He made a field goal with 9:33 left in the 4th quarter to put the Bengals up 23-22. However, the Chiefs’ defense forced a key turnover with less than a minute left in the 4th, giving their offense a chance to set up Butker’s game-winning field goal.

The Bengals’ running game struggled in their 26-25 loss to the Chiefs, managing only 74 yards on 22 attempts. Despite this, Joe Burrow and the passing offense had a good game, putting up 246 yards through the air, with two touchdowns and completing 63.9% of their passes. Burrow was sacked three times and finished with a passer rating of 103.

Zack Moss was the leading rusher with 34 yards, while Mike Gesicki led the team with seven catches for 91 yards. The Bengals finished with 18 first downs and 286 total yards, going 3 for 11 on third down.

In their 26-25 loss to the Chiefs, the Bengals’ defense gave up 149 rushing yards on 32 attempts, including a long run by Patrick Mahomes. Despite this, they allowed just 137 passing yards and held Kansas City to a 72% completion rate. The Bengals also picked off two passes and limited the Chiefs to a 12.5% third-down conversion rate.Cincinnati’s defense recorded two sacks and defended the pass well, giving up just 5.5 yards per attempt. However, they did allow two passing touchdowns.

• Cincinnati has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. This includes going 1-1-1 vs. the spread and posting an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Cincinnati has a record of 6-4. Across these games, their ATS record was just 4-5-1, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Lean

Our predicted score for this week three matchup between Washington and Cincinnati is 32-24 in favor of Washington. With Washington coming in as 7.5-point road underdogs, we really like them to cover the spread.

As for an over/under pick, with the line sitting at 48.5 points, we are leaning towards taking the over, with a projected combined score of 56 points.

The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to turn around another disappointing start when they host the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football (MNF). With an 0-2 record for the third consecutive year, the Bengals are grappling with early-season adversity, but they aim to snap this trend and find momentum, just as they did last season.

Bengals’ Familiar 0-2 Struggles

For the third year running, the Bengals find themselves winless after two games. In 2022, the Bengals bounced back dramatically, winning 14 of their next 16 games, including a 10-game win streak, before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. This year, Cincinnati again faces the uphill task of pulling themselves out of an early hole, having lost two heartbreakers, the latest a 26-25 defeat to the Chiefs.

A pivotal moment in last week’s loss came on a controversial fourth-and-16 defensive pass interference call against rookie Daijahn Anthony, which set up the Chiefs’ game-winning 51-yard field goal by Harrison Butker. Despite the frustration of that close defeat, the Bengals remain optimistic about the rest of the season.

Joe Burrow’s Leadership Amidst Challenges

Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow addressed the team’s current position with a calm, focused mindset: “I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated right now. I was frustrated on Sunday. That was a tough loss, but we’ve just got to go out and get a win. We’ve got to focus on getting better every day through our practice, and go out and execute when we have to execute on Monday.”

Burrow has been a steady presence for Cincinnati, completing 67.7% of his passes so far this season without throwing an interception, despite being sacked six times. His performance under pressure is crucial, but improving offensive line protection will be key moving forward. As the leader of the offense, Burrow’s ability to stay composed and elevate the team could make all the difference against the Commanders.

Key Injuries for the Bengals

Injuries have also plagued Cincinnati’s roster early in the season. The defensive line has taken a significant hit, with starters B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins sidelined by hamstring injuries. On offense, however, there’s hope as wide receiver Tee Higgins returned to practice on Thursday, giving Burrow another dynamic weapon. Higgins missed the first two games with a hamstring injury but could provide the spark the offense needs to get back on track.

The Bengals will look to draw on their recent success in prime-time games, having won six straight home games under the national spotlight, including victories against the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

Commanders Enter MNF with Momentum

Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders (1-1) come into Week 3 with momentum following a thrilling 21-18 win over NFC East rivals, the New York Giants. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is quickly making a name for himself. Daniels currently leads all rookie quarterbacks in both rushing yards (132) and passing yards (410) through two games. His strong start, combined with his dual-threat abilities, poses a significant challenge for the Bengals’ defense.

Daniels has completed 75.5% of his passes and holds an impressive 97.2 passer rating in his first two career starts. Burrow, who also played at LSU and won a Heisman Trophy, praised the rookie’s performance: “He’s a dynamic player. I really like his throwing motion. Seems like he can spin it and understands his fundamentals. I think he’s got a bright future.”

Daniels, aware of the shared LSU legacy, added: “It’s big for the whole state of Louisiana to see both of us go up against each other.” This matchup between a seasoned star and a rising talent adds an exciting narrative to the Monday night showdown.

Commanders’ Defensive Strength

Washington’s defense, now under the guidance of new head coach Dan Quinn, has adopted an aggressive approach that was honed during his time as defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen acknowledged the challenge ahead: “When you have a quarterback like Joe Burrow and receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and the players that they have, it’s always going to be exciting to go against them.”

Quinn’s defensive strategy, which emphasizes pressure on the quarterback, could be especially dangerous for the Bengals, given Burrow’s struggles with protection so far this season. How the Bengals’ offensive line handles this aggressive defense will be a key factor in the game.

Bengals’ Ring of Honor Ceremony Adds to Festivities

Adding to the excitement, Monday night will be a special occasion for Bengals fans as the franchise will induct two of its legends into the Ring of Honor at halftime. Nose tackle Tim Krumrie, a cornerstone of the Bengals’ 1988 Super Bowl team, and running back Corey Dillon, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, will be honored during the ceremony. This celebration of Bengals history will surely energize the home crowd at Paycor Stadium.

High Stakes for Both Teams

For the Bengals, this game represents an opportunity to reverse their fortunes and avoid falling into an even deeper early-season hole. They have the talent to turn things around, but execution, especially in critical moments, has been a recurring issue. On the other hand, the Commanders, led by their promising young quarterback, will be eager to build on their Week 2 victory and continue their climb in the NFC East.

The game also carries a unique historical significance: the Bengals and Commanders have never met on Monday Night Football. As two teams with different trajectories face off, the outcome could set the tone for their respective seasons.

Latest NFL Handicappers