Bengals vs. Commanders Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Cincinnati and Washington are both searching for their first exhibition wins of 2025. Despite playing several starters, the Bengals are coming off a 34-27 loss in Philly last week, while the Commanders’ backups were blown out 48-18 in New England.
Cincy is a 4.5-point favourite to win on the NFL pre-season odds, with the total pegged at 42.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Neither head coach in this matchup is a pre-season wizard. Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor is 3-13 straight up and against the spread in his pre-season career, while Washington’s Dan Quinn is 7-17 SU and ATS.
Because both coaches have struggled in the pre-season, let’s zoom out a little further in our analysis. Underdogs have generally been the better play. Since 2015, dogs in a spread of one to three points have covered 60 per cent of the time. And in the last 10 years, road underdogs of 2.5 or less points are 75-38 ATS.
Now on to the total. Pre-season games are generally lower scoring than regular season games, which is nothing new. The key number, however, is 37. Over the last 15 pre-seasons, 60 per cent games with a total of 37 or less have hit the Over, while totals above 37 have played the Under 56 per cent of the time.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are bucking the trends this pre-season and relying on their starters. Joe Burrow was surgical last week in Philadelphia, completing nine of 10 passes for 123 yards and two TDs. Desmond Ridder and Jake Browning split the rest of the game, combing for 153 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. You can expect a similar workload this week as Taylor’s focus has been getting Cincinnati off to a quicker start in the regular season by playing his starters in the pre-season.
The Bengals’ offence looked great overall last week. In addition to Burrow’s performance, Ja’Marr Chase hauled in four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Tanner Hudson had 62 yards and two TDs on six catches. Cincinnati deserved a better result last week, but they should be in line for a W in Week 2 with their starters set to face a banged up Commanders squad full of backups.
Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels and the rest of Washington’s starters were planted on the bench last week and it showed in a blowout loss against the Patriots. With Daniels on the sidelines, journeyman Josh Johnson and rookie Sam Hartman split quarterback duties. Johnson was more effective, completing 15 of 22 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Hartman went 9-of-19 for 64 yards and a pick.
Expect more of the same from the Commanders this week. They’re saving Daniels for the regular season and backup Marcus Mariota is dealing with a strained calf. And if you think home field gives Washington any kind of edge, you’re in for a surprise as Quinn has posted a terrible 3-7 ATS record in his last 10 home pre-season dates.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bengals vs. Commanders?
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CIN
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