• Cincinnati is a 7.5-point favorite in the Commanders vs Bengals odds for Monday Night Football
• Tee Higgins (hamstring) will make his 2024 season debut for Cincinnati
• Check out the Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and predictions, below

You could have made a lot of money prior to the season by betting the Commanders (1-1) would have more wins than the Bengals (0-2) entering their Week 3 matchup on Monday Night Football. But that’s the NFL. Parity reigns supreme and any team is susceptible to getting got on any given game day.

Cincy will be chasing that elusive first win of the season on MNF, and online sportsbooks like their chances. The Bengals are getting healthier (more on that later) and are big favorites per the latest NFL odds.

Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds

Cincinnati is currently a 7.5-point favorite while the game total is sitting at 47. The spread initially opened at -8, and briefly moved to -8.5 before professional money drove it down to where it stands.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 pm ET at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

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Odds as of September 22 at BetMGM. Be sure to check out the best BetMGM promos before placing a bet on Monday Night Football.

Higgins’ Return Will Ignite Bengals Passing Game

The Bengals offense showed life last week at Kansas City, after a dismal Week 1 effort versus New England. They looked like a legit top-10 contender in the Super Bowl 59 odds, and Joe Burrow’s alleged wrist injury was a non-factor. He made multiple big time throws against the Chiefs’ secondary, and we should expect more 20+ yard dimes on Monday for multiple reasons.

First and foremost, Tee Higgins will be back. The Clemson product has sat out the first two games with hamstring injury, allowing defenses to focus almost exclusively on shutting down Ja’Marr Chase. Higgins’ presence will force defenses to be more honest, and gives Burrow a big-body deep threat that Cincy has been lacking. The 6-4 wideout averaged a career best 16 yards per catch in 2023, and has two 1000+ yard receiving seasons over the last three years on his resume.

Bengals are not listing WR Tee Higgins on their injury report for Monday night’s game vs. Washington, officially meaning he’s good to go. Higgins’ 2024 debut comes Monday night. pic.twitter.com/j1LiL92gBe

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2024

The other main reason to be optimistic about Burrow and Co. is the matchup. The Commanders pass defense was bad in 2023 and so far this season it’s been even worse. Washington currently ranks dead last in pass defense efficiency, and allow the third most passing yards per opponent attempt.

Daniel Jones and Baker Mayfield, not exactly the Peyton Manning and Tom Brady of this era, combined for 6 TD pass against them in Weeks 1 and 2, which should make bettors very comfortable betting Burrow to exceed his 1.5 passing touchdowns prop.

Daniels Looks to Escape Burrow’s Shadow

Washington meanwhile, will need a big offensive performance from rookie QB Jaydon Daniels to keep this contest close. Daniels, who succeeded Burrow at LSU, never quite escaped Burrow’s shadow despite some impressive accomplishments. He captured the Heisman Trophy last season, and was a top-two selection in the Draft. His NFL career is off to a productive start, but the amount of hits he’s taking is not sustainable.

Daniels has already rushed 26 times this season, and has taking some major blows to his slight frame. One of those hits forced him briefly out of last week’s game, but he managed to return to lead Washington to victory.

He’s completing a high percentage of his throws (76%), but he’s yet to throw a TD pass and has been unable to get Terry McLaurin going. The Commanders star receiver has only 39 yards through two weeks, and Monday’s matchup is no picnic. Cincy has yet to allow a receiver to reach 80 yards and boast a top-five coverage unit.

Commanders vs Bengals Predictions

The Bengals stinginess versus opposing pass games has been the result of a heavy man coverage scheme. Cincy has played man at a top-10 rate and will likely lean that way again versus Daniels to force him into tight window throws.

The disadvantage of a man scheme is it can lead to big holes for a rushing QB, which Daniels will certainly try and expose. That should help Washington move the chains, and punch back versus what is likely to be a successful Cincy offense.

Jaydon Daniels 2024 Rushing Stats

The Commanders defense isn’t likely to offer much resistance here, which points to a big day for Burrow. Bet him to exceed his touchdown prop and for this game to find its way over the total.

• Over 46.5 (-110) at
  ESPN Bet
  
  
• Burrow Over 1.5 Passing TD (-155) at BetMGM

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