Here's how to watch, predictions, tips

Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season will see the first “Monday Night Football” doubleheader of the year, ending with the Washington Commanders (1-1) versus the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2).

Washington earned its first win of the Dan Quinn era in Week 2 despite not scoring a touchdown. The Commanders kicked six field goals and beat the New York Giants 21-18. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels entered Week 3 with the third-best completion percentage (75.5%) among starting quarterbacks. The Commanders also boast the fifth-best rushing attack in the league, thanks in part to Daniels’ mobility.

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Cincinnati is a surprise 0-2 after losses to New England in Week 1 and Kansas City in Week 2. This continues the Bengals’ September slump; they are 3-7 in September since the start of the 2022 season. Wide receiver Tee Higgins could be back in the lineup after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati’s pass defense has improved so far in 2024, ranking second in the league in yards allowed per game (128.5).

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This will be the first game since 1981 to feature two former LSU Tigers as quarterbacks. Washington won the last time these teams met in Week 11 of the 2020 season, 20-9. Here’s everything you need to know about Commanders-Bengals.

Start time Commanders vs. Bengals

Date: Monday, 23 September 2024
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Commanders vs. Bengals game will conclude the first Monday Night Football doubleheader of the 2024 NFL season at 8:15 p.m. ET.

What channel is Monday Night Football on tonight?

TV: ABC
Live stream: ESPN+

The second game of the doubleheader between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals will be broadcast on ABC.

Joe Buck (live commentary), Troy Aikman (color commentary) and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter) will be on the phone for the ABC broadcast.

Predictions and tips for Commanders at Bengals

Here are the USA TODAY Sports editors’ predictions for the second matchup in Week 3 on Monday Night Football:

Lorenzo Reyes: Bengals 30, Commanders 13
Tyler Dragon: Bengals 26, Commanders 20
Richard Morin: Bengals 27, Commanders 20
Jordan Mendoza: Bengals 22, Commanders 15

NFL rookie QB rushing record: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels could make the list

Robert Griffin III currently holds the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in his rookie season. He accomplished this feat with Washington in 2012 and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. RGIII had 120 rush attempts and led the NFL with 6.8 yards per rush. Jayden Daniels is on pace to have over 220 rush attempts and over 1,100 rushing yards. That would surpass Lamar Jackson’s 147 rushing attempts for the most in a rookie season.

Robert Griffin III (Washington, 2012): 815 rush yards
Cam Newton (Carolina, 2011): 706 rush yards
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore, 2018): 695 rush yards
Josh Allen (Buffalo, 2018): 631 rush yards
Vince Young (Tennessee, 2006): 552 rush yards
Kyler Murray (Arizona, 2019): 544 rush yards
Billy Kilmer (San Francisco, 1961): 509 rush yards
Russell Wilson (Seattle, 2012): 489 rush yards
Justin Fields (Chicago, 2021): 420 rush yards

Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?

We have a complete list for each position:

AFC North Table

The Bengals are the only winless team in the AFC North, but a Sunday Night Football win over the Commanders could move them into a three-way tie for second place. The Steelers have gotten off to a surprising start, joining the Chiefs, Seahawks and Vikings as the only undefeated teams through three weeks.

Steelers 3:0

Ravens 1-2

Brown tones 1-2

Bengals 0-2

NFC East table

With a win on Sunday Night Football, the Commanders can tie the Eagles for first place in the division. The Cowboys have been disappointing, losing two straight home games to the Saints and Ravens.

Eagles 2-1

Commanders 1-1

Giants 1-1

Cowboys 1-2

Weather update for Bengals vs. Commanders

The weather could affect the Bengals’ game against the Commanders early on. The temperature should be perfect during the game, staying above 20 degrees. However, there is a possibility of rain and thunderstorms in the Paycor Stadium area between 6 and 8 p.m.

According to the Weather Channel, winds will reach a maximum of 5 miles per hour, but there is a chance of storms early on.

Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels: first meeting of LSU quarterbacks in 43 years

The Commanders-Bengals game features something NFL fans haven’t seen in decades: a duel between two former LSU quarterbacks. Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and national championship with the Tigers in 2019. Washington rookie Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 before being selected No. 2 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Who is the highest paid NFL player?

The 18 highest-paid players in the NFL are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league’s highest-paid player on Sunday morning when he signed a four-year, $240 million contract. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the list of highest-paid players after signing a four-year, $140 million contract extension in the offseason.

Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels and others visit local restaurant before Bengals-Commanders game

The Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders dined in style before their Monday Night Football game at Paycor Stadium.

Several Bengals and Commanders players, including quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, visited Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse on Sunday night, according to an X-post from the local restaurateur. The Bengals and Commanders coaching staff, owners, general managers, former players and the ESPN broadcast team also dined at the local steakhouse, according to Ruby’s post.

Ruby did not provide any information about which places the teams visited or whether they ate dinner together or separately.

“As a restaurant owner, it is a great pleasure to have both the Commanders and Bengals dine with us tonight,” Ruby wrote. “Thank you all. Our guests were happy to see you.”

Commanders vs. Bengals odds, moneyline, over/under

According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Bengals are the favorites to defeat the Commanders. Want to bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps that offer NFL betting promotions in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

Spread: Bengals (-7.5)
Money line: Cincinnati (-375); Washington (+290)
Over/Under: 47

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, tips and spreads has you covered with the odds for Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football.

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DO YOU FEEL HAPPY? Here are the best combination bets and odds for NFL games this week

Washington Commanders Injury Report

OUT OF

DE Clelin Ferrell (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb)

Cincinnati Bengals injury report

OUT OF

TE Tanner Hudson
DT Sheldon Rankins

DOUBTABLE

QUESTIONABLE

S Vonn Bell
DT Kris Jenkins

Commanders vs. Bengals History

The first game between these teams took place in the 1970 NFL season, when Washington won 20-0. In total, they played 11 games against each other and achieved a perfect record of 5-5-1.

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