Preview and pick for Bengals at Commanders

CINCINNATI BENGALS at WASHINGTON COMMANDERS, 8 PM ET

NFL Odds from BetOnline:

Cincinnati Bengals -3 (-115)
Washington Commanders +3 (-105)

Over 43 Points -108
Under 43 Points  -112

We talk an awful lot about how the attitude of the coaches toward these games can have a lot to do with how we handicap them.

If you take a look at the records, you'll see that neither of these coaches has shown any particular interest in winning during the month of August.

Zac Taylor of the Bengals is 3-13 ATS in preseason play, while Dan Quinn of the Commanders is 7-18 ATS, and has covered just two of his last 17.

But it kind of looks to us as if Taylor is the guy taking more of a winning motivation into these affairs, or at least the type of motivation that could translate into a victory here.

Last week against Philadelphia his team lost 34-27, but they used Joe Burrow, who was very sharp. Burrow, who probably had the best statistical season of any NFL quarterback last year (4918 yards, 43 TD's nine INT's), completed nine of ten passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, as Cincinnati averaged ten yards per play, albeit against the Eagles' second team defense.

Taylor has told reporters that the starters will be playing a quarter on Monday night, so he's looking for another fast start from Burrow and his mates, obviously.
Not that there hasn't been a little drama around the Bengals' camp. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who accounted for almost the team's sacks last season, can't come to an agreement with the team on a new contract, and management is once again seriously contemplating trading him.

And first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart, who has been expected to team with Hendrickson in the pass rush, hit Burrow low during a drill, and that's a no-no. In fact, it caused a near-brawl between the offense and defense. Nonetheless, the coaching staff loves what they've seen from Stewart during camp, and are looking for him to be a factor as he plays with the first team.

And Burrow sent him a message: "It's cool, as long as you do it on Sundays, too."

Stewart apologized and says, "I'm trying to take everything day by day. If I can get 1% better each day, at least I improve somewhere."

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We'll see more of Desmond Ridder, the former University of Cincinnati quarterback who completed seven of 16 last week for 91 yards - with 48 of those yards going to Janoi Myers on one play.

The Cincinnati offensive line is an area of huge concern, as the unit allowed more QB hits on Burrow than anyone else. And they'll be down a starting guard, as Cordell Volson is out with a shoulder injury.

Over on the Commanders' side, they have taken Terry McLaurin off the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, which means he can practice. But he's also got a contract issue with the team that hasn't been resolved. He's also had an ankle injury, so he won't play.

Quinn sat 30 players for last week's game against New England, and there will be a number of notable absences this week, including linebackers Bobby Wagner and Von Miller, tackle Laremy Tunsil, tight end Zach Ertz, guards Sam Cosmi and Brandon Coleman, wide receiver Noah Brown, defensive end Javonte Jean-Baptiste and cornerback Jonathan Jones.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels did not play last week, but he'll be in there for a few series of downs. Without Marcus Mariota, who's being held out by Quinn as well, the QB's who will see action after Daniels are well-traveled veteran Josh Johnson (15-22, 173 yards last week) and second-year man Sam Hartman (9-19 for 64 yards vs. New England).

Last week's effort against the Pats, which resulted in a 48-18 loss, was non-competitive for the most part, as they were down 17-0 after a quarter and 27-3 at the half. One has to believe that the Commanders are looking to give a better account of themselves, but you've got to wonder whether Quinn is all that concerned.

So we'd lay it with the Bengals, and we'd also consider Cincinnati on a first quarter bet, where they are a 1.5-point favorite.

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