Two LSU legends face off on “Monday Night Football,” as Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals host Jayden Daniels' Washington Commanders. This is simply the second quarterback matchup all time between Heisman Trophy winners from the identical college, as each sign-callers as soon as ran issues in Baton Rouge.
The rookie Daniels scored his first NFL victory final week in opposition to the New York Giants, and accomplished 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards whereas new Commanders kicker Austin Seibert transformed on all seven of his area aim makes an attempt. As for the Bengals, they've began 0-2 for the third consecutive season, with their most up-to-date loss coming to the Kansas City Chiefs by a single level after an unlucky cross interference name on the ultimate drive.
Can Daniels rating an upset victory on a nationwide stage? Or is that this the place Burrow and the Bengals get again on monitor? Below, we are going to break down this Week 3 interconference showdown. First, this is how one can watch the sport:
How to watch
Date: Monday, Sep. 23 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
Channel: ABC | Stream: fubo (strive free of charge)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Bengals -7.5 O/U 47
All NFL odds are through SportsLine Consensus.
Trends
- All-time collection is tied 5-5-1
- Washington received the newest matchup vs. Cincinnati, 20-9. Joe Burrow tore his ACL and MCL in that sport
- Rookie Starting quarterbacks are 13-4-1 in opposition to the unfold in prime time since 2022
- Commanders are 3-0 SU and ATS of their final three Monday video games
Injury report
Washington shall be with out its sack chief, as Ferrell has been dominated out with a knee damage. In truth, he is the one Commander who has recorded a sack this yr. Forbes is surprisingly listed as questionable together with his thumb damage. Coach Dan Quinn mentioned they are going to wait till Monday to make a ultimate determination, however subsequent week could also be when he fits up.
The huge information for the Bengals is that vast receiver Tee Higgins just isn't listed on their ultimate damage report, so he'll make his 2024 debut after lacking the the primary two video games with a hamstring damage. Tight finish Mike Gesicki was not given a sport designation both after being restricted earlier within the week with a calf damage. According to The Athletic, Jenkins Jr. (thumb) will play with a wrap on his hand, and so they'll monitor how he does.
When the Commanders have the ball
Move over Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, it is Daniels that has been the most effective rookie quarterback by two weeks. He's the one quarterback in NFL historical past to full 75% of his passes, rush for 100 yards and throw zero interceptions in a two-sport span. Washington statistically has the No. 10 offense within the NFL (362 yards per sport), however that does not imply all of their huge names are consuming.
Many anticipated Terry McLaurin to attain his ceiling as a star receiver with Daniels now beneath middle, however he is caught simply eight passes for 39 yards. We'll see if he can take off beneath the lights Monday night time, however Washington's sights on this matchup could also be set on the bottom sport. Daniels' legs are particular — when it comes to each transferring the chains and escaping stress within the pocket. The rookie is averaging 66 speeding yards per sport, which ranked No. 18 within the NFL getting into Week 3. Lamar Jackson is the one quarterback that averages extra.
Daniels' 132 speeding yards are the fifth-most recorded by a quarterback of their first two profession begins since 1970. The Bengals had the seventh-worst run protection by two weeks — and accidents on the inside haven't helped them. That means Brian Robinson Jr., who's coming off of a profession efficiency vs. the Giants with 133 speeding yards, and Daniels as a runner may headline Washington's plan of assault.
Daniels' twin-risk capability is a means to hold defenses on edge, however so is tempo. And that is one thing new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has put an emphasis on. Washington has run 63 no-huddle performs, that are essentially the most within the NFL. They ran no-huddle 37 instances final week in opposition to the Giants, that are essentially the most no-huddle performs recorded by any crew over the past two seasons. Kingsbury is clearly attempting to hold defenses on their toes, and in our restricted pattern dimension, it is working. Washington has averaged 6.4 yards per play going no-huddle, and 5.1 yards per play with out. You see it usually with faculty offenses, however no-huddle, up-tempo methods put on down defenses and assist create mismatches. That is, if executed accurately.
When the Bengals have the ball
Bengals followers are eyeing Week 3 because the “turnaround spot.” If that is certainly the place Cincinnati will get again on its horse, it needs to be due to the passing sport. The Commanders have a backside 10 cross protection, which Burrow will want to exploit.
In Week 1, Washington allowed Baker Mayfield to full 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns. It was principally an ideal sport, because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put up 37 factors and punted simply as soon as. In Week 2, Giants rookie wideout Malik Nabers caught 10 of 18 targets for 127 yards and a landing vs. Washington. Imagine what this extra versatile Bengals passing assault can accomplish.
Higgins shall be making his 2024 debut, and he has his eyes set on that subsequent huge contract. Ja'Marr Chase is averaging simply 48.5 receiving yards by two weeks and hasn't but caught a landing, however you need to anticipate his manufacturing to decide up on Monday night time. This is the primary time Cincinnati may have its full arsenal on the prepared.
It's not simply concerning the receivers, although. Gesicki was Burrow's go-to weapon final week, as he caught seven of 9 targets for 91 yards vs. the Chiefs. In truth, Burrow had a profession-excessive 151 passing yards concentrating on tight ends final week. Is that one thing we see extra of in Week 3?
Prediction
The Bengals are hungry for that first win, and so they have an opportunity to safe it in entrance of their dwelling followers in prime time. Despite the loss to Kansas City final week, you've got to be inspired with the enhancements Cincinnati comprised of Week 1 to Week 2. The Commanders do have the potential to be this feisty squad with a flexible quarterback that provides a wholly completely different ingredient to the sport, however I'll take the Bengals to rebound right here.
As for the unfold, that is a wholly completely different query. The 7.5 factors are lots to lay, and also you hate the considered getting caught by the hook with a backdoor cowl. But the Bengals are 6-1 ATS of their final seven dwelling prime-time video games.
Projected rating: Bengals 27-17 over Commanders
Larry Hartstein, who's on a 30-13-1 ATS roll on Commanders video games, has launched his greatest bets for the Week 3 Commanders vs. Bengals matchup. We can let you know he is leaning Over the purpose whole however who does he have overlaying the unfold? You can check that out here.
