NFL Week 3 picks and predictions: Why Texans, Packers are a smart play
Lorenzo Reyes is locked and loaded for Week 3 in the NFL and provides us with the smartest bets of the weekend.
Sports Pulse
The Washington Commanders travel to play the Cincinnati Bengals for the second game on the Monday Night Football slate.
The Week 3 matchup will pit two former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks from LSU, Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow, against each other.
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Daniels earned his first career victory after the Commanders (1-1) beat the New York Giants 21-18 last week. Daniels completed 23 of 29 pass attempts for 226 yards. Running back, Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 133 yards on 17 carries, but it was kicker Austin Seibert who went 7-for-7 on field goal attempts to score all 21 points.
Burrow and the Bengals (0-2) will look to bounce back from a 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The quarterback completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 258 yards and two touchdowns but the offense struggled to produce much on the ground. Running back Zack Moss had 12 carries for a team-high 34 yards.
Here’s what to know about the Bengals-Commanders Week 3 matchup on Monday:
Bengals vs. Commanders odds, moneyline, over/under
Cincinnati is favored to start the season with a win, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Odds as of Sunday
- Spread: Bengals (-7.5)
- Moneyline: Bengals (-350); Commanders (+280)
- Over/under: 47
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Bengals vs. Commanders predictions
USA Today: Bengals 26, Commanders 20
Tyler Dragon writes “The Bengals are off to another slow start yet again. Will they be able to dig themselves out of an 0-2 hole? The good news is they get to face a rookie quarterback after going up against Patrick Mahomes and they play a poor Panthers club in Week 4. Yes, the Bengals should be 2-2 before a big Week 5 matchup against the Ravens. “
Sports Illustrated: Bengals 28, Commanders 17
Caleb Skinner writes: “While the Bengals are 0-2 and coming off a brutal loss to the Kansas City Chiefs I still think they have the better roster and team overall than the Washington Commanders. The Commanders will want to try and get after Joe Burrow as much as possible, but with the weapons he has at his disposal, I think they will be able to get away with having a below-average offensive line and score enough to come away with their first victory of the season.”
Sports Book Wire: Bengals 27, Commanders 21
This feels like a must-win for Cincinnati in the tough AFC North and there is no doubt in my mind that the Bengals (-350) win on Monday night, but Washington will keep it competitive. I’m not going to wager 3 1/2 units to win 1 and will look to the spread.