Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders Picks and Predictions (8/18): Monday Night Football

Week 2 of the NFL preseason wraps up tonight as the Cincinnati Bengals travel to our nation's capital to take on the Washington Commanders.

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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders NFL Picks

If this were the regular season, this game would be circled on everyone's calendar. Joe Burrow vs. Jayden Daniels is must-see TV. Unfortunately, because it's the preseason, we'll likely only see each quarterback for a series or two. Still, there is a betting angle in this game that I really like.

Matchup Information – Bengals vs. Commanders

• Venue & Location: Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD)
• Date: Sunday, August 18, 2025
• Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Bengals vs. Commanders Betting Odds – August 18

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks. Sign up today with Promo Code FREE250 for a 50% deposit bonus up to $250 as well as 100 Free Spins at the online casino.

Spread

• Bengals -4.5 (-110)
• Commanders +4.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Bengals -220
• Commanders +186

Total

• Over 42 (-115)
• Under 42 (-105)

Both the Commanders and Bengals opened the preseason with a loss, but there was still plenty to like from Cincinnati early on, which is why I'm backing the Bengals to cover the first-half line of -2.5 (-120) at BetOnline.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders NFL Picks & Predictions

Bengals vs. Commanders NFL Prediction: Bengals 1H -2.5 (-120, BetOnline)

It's become standard procedure in the preseason for starters — especially franchise quarterbacks — to watch from the sidelines. That's been Cincinnati's approach for a few years now, and frankly, it's burned them. The Bengals have been notorious for sleepwalking through the early part of the regular season, digging themselves into holes that are tough to climb out of.

They started 0-3 last year. In 2023, they opened 1-3. In 2022, they dropped their first two before finally waking up in Week 3. Add it up, and Cincinnati is just 2-7 over its last nine games played in Weeks 1-3. That simply won't cut it for Zac Taylor's group in 2025, which is why they've made it a point to actually use the preseason and get meaningful reps for their starters.

Backing Burrow Early

In last week's preseason matchup against the Eagles, Joe Burrow looked just as dominant as he was last in the season last year. Cincinnati scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the game. Burrow went 9-of-10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns, averaging over 12 yards per attempt.

Naturally, his favorite partner in crime — Ja'Marr Chase — was heavily involved, finishing with a clean 4-for-4, 77 yards and a TD line. And according to Taylor, we'll get an even longer look at the starters this week against Washington. If Burrow played 15 snaps against Philly, don't be surprised if he's in the 20-plus snap range this time around.

Meanwhile, the Commanders defense looked like Swiss cheese against the Patriots in their preseason opener, allowing 48 points to a rotation of Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge. No disrespect to that trio… but Burrow is operating on a completely different level.

With Cincinnati's starters seeing real time and a clear focus on starting fast this season, I'll happily play the Bengals -2.5 in the first half against a Washington team that struggled to slow down New England's backups.

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