Washington Commanders @ Cincinnati Bengals - September 23, 2024

As I tune into the anticipation building for the matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, I can’t help but feel the tension in the air. Both teams are in desperate need of a victory, but the stakes are particularly high for the Bengals, who are still searching for their first win of the season.

The oddsmakers have opened the Bengals as 6.5-point favorites, which is interesting given their current 0-2 record. It seems that they’re relying on the home-field advantage and their playoff pedigree from previous seasons. Meanwhile, the Commanders, sitting at 1-1, understand that maintaining momentum is critical after a jagged start to their season.

Washington’s record might be modest, but their offensive stats paint a compelling picture. Averaging 20.5 points per game, they boast a formidable ground attack with 176.5 rushing yards at a remarkable 7.7 yards per carry. Their passing game, while not as productive as their rushing, is respectable with an average of 205 passing yards and a completion percentage that just edges 75.0%. However, this season hasn’t been kind to the Commanders in terms of covering spreads, with a dismal 2-7 record against the spread in their last nine games and 1-9 overall in their last ten matchups. The Commanders will be looking to overturn that trend, and a close game feels necessary to snag a cover here.

Conversely, the Bengals are struggling to find their offensive rhythm. They are averaging just 17.5 points per game, with only 211 passing yards and 72 rushing yards, reflecting a lack of explosiveness that fans have come to expect. Despite completing over 68% of their passes, they are uncharacteristically flat. This does however suggest a potential for improvement. Given their recent history of games going over—that’s happened in six of their last eight—I wouldn’t entirely rule out an explosion from their offense. But with the Commanders being a defensive team and both sides struggling to consistently score, the Under may very well be the more realistic prediction.

Looking ahead to this matchup, I’m predicting the Bengals will emerge victorious but they’re likely to face a challenge against the Commanders, who are looking to bounce back. I expect Washington to cover the spread—an underdog that potentially keeps the game closer than the odds suggest. Given the current struggles of both teams, it’s difficult for me to envision a high-scoring affair, hence my prediction that the total will remain under 47.5.

In summary, as the match kicks off, expect a fierce battle—one where the Commanders fight tooth and nail for every yard, making their case to not just stay competitive but cover the spread, while the Bengals aim to put their first ‘W’ in the bag. It’s bound to be a thrilling one for fans tuning in!