Our betting analysts have made three Bengals vs. Commanders predictions for Monday Night Football, which will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on ABC. Bengals vs. Commanders is also streaming live on YouTube TV and ESPN+.
The Bengals (0-2) are favored by 7.5 points over the Commanders (1-1), with Bengals -7 available at one or two sportsbooks in the hours before kick. The over/under is currently set at 46.5 points, with totals of 46 also out there in the market. Cincinnati is a -350 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, with the Commanders +280 to pull off the upset.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels has been efficient and impressive through two games, completing 75% of passes for 410 passing yards while running for 132 more and 2 touchdowns. The Washington defense, though, looks like it might be one of the worst in the NFL.
The Bengals, meanwhile, are winless and need to turn their season around. Joe Burrow is only averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, which hasn’t silenced concerns about his throwing wrist. Cincinnati is averaging 3.8 yards per carry and its leading receiver is Mike Gesicki, although Tee Higgins is set to make his season debut tonight.
Let's get into our Bengals vs. Commanders picks for Monday night and our expert NFL picks to close Week 3.
Bengals vs. Commanders Predictions
- Spread pick: Bengals to cover -7 (bet to -7.5)
- Over/under pick: Over 46.5
- Player prop: Ja'Marr Chase to score a TD
Click on a Commanders-Bills pick below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Monday Night Football Picks, Odds
| Bengals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -105 | 46 -108o / -112u | -355 |
| Commanders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -115 | 46 -108o / -112u | +280 |
- Bengals vs. Commanders spread: Bengals -7.5
- Bengals vs. Commanders over/under: 46.5 points
- Bengals vs. Commanders moneyline: Bengals -350, Commanders +280
Always shop around for the best lines with our live NFL odds page.
Spread NFL Prediction
The Bengals offense is going to be full strength for the first time this season with Tee Higgins returning to the lineup, and they're getting the absolutely best matchup to facilitate an offensive explosion. The Commanders defense is last in the league in success rate against the pass, third-down defense and points allowed per drive.
While Jayden Daniels progressed in Week 2, this matchup with the Bengals defense presents a major challenge. Cincinnati has allowed only one explosive play of 20 or more yards this season, so Daniels is going to have to play methodically and efficiently. I have my doubts the Commanders can keep up with the Bengals offense if they continue with their current plan of attack with more than 40% of Daniels' attempts being at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Joe Burrow has only played in six games in his career in which his team had lost the previous two games, and Cincinnati is 5-0-1 against the spread in those games. Burrow has also covered the spread at a 71% rate throughout his career in the week following a Bengals loss. Many more trends also prove it is profitable to back 0-2 teams in Week 3 against any 1-1 or 2-0 team, as the team with their back against the wall must do whatever they possible can to avoid an 0-3 start.
I am fully expecting the Bengals to cruise to a double digit win Monday night in their own building.
Pick: Bengals -7.5 (-105)
Over/Under Pick
By Matt Trebby
Our PRO projection for this game is 48.0, giving this game the second biggest edge on the over of the week.
The Bengals’ loss to the Chiefs went over the total last week after a brutal display against the Patriots in Week 1. After New England lost its next two games, it appears Cincinnati’s performance in that game might have been more about its struggles than the Patriots’ defensive prowess.
Joe Burrow looked improved last week against the Chiefs after there were serious concerns about his wrist. There were a few big-time throws that reminded you of the 2021 Burrow who led the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
On the other side, there are two things about the Commanders that scream “Bet the over,” and that’s that they have a potentially electric young quarterback in Jayden Daniels, and the defense is awful.
I’m not expecting a defensive slugfest in the second leg of our Monday Night Football matchups. Bet the over to close Week 3.
Pick: Over 46.5 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
This is a pretty easy handicap.
The Commanders defense is awful so far and has been getting crushed in the passing game by opposing wide receivers. Specifically, the Commanders rank 32nd, also known as dead last, in the NFL against opposing No. 1 wide receivers.
Ja'Marr Chase only has two streaks in his career of more than two games without a touchdown. His current skid is six games and the longest.
This is a dream get-right matchup for the Bengals and specifically Chase, so we're all over it.
Pick: Ja'Marr Chase ATD (+125)
