By Bill Murphy
For the third consecutive season the Bengals are starting the season 0-2 . The Bengals are coming off of a 26 -25 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals are facing off against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, The Commanders who are coming off of their first win of the Dan Quinn era. A 21-18 win against the New York Giants. The Bengals have gotten into bad habits in years past with slow starts, in 2024 can they turn it around?
Keys to victory
Bengals:
Offense : The key to victory for the Bengals offense is going to be the passing game and taking advantage of the Commanders weak secondary. Last week Joe Burrow was 23/35 for 258 yards and two touchdowns , those two touchdowns were to Andrei Iosivas and also 91 yards to tight end Mike Geisicki. So Burrow will have to spread the ball around, Tee Higgins is expected to make his season debut, after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. Higgins’ debut should open things up for Ja’marr Chase, who has 10 catches for 97 yards through two games. Last week the Commanders pass defense struggled with Daniel Jones (of all people ) as he threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, 110 of those yards and a touchdown went to rookie Malik Nabers .
Defense : The key to victory for the Bengals defense is going to be containing Jayden Daniels. Last week Daniels was 23-29 for 226 yards and he ran for 44 yards. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard on the edges are going to have to be big. Hendrickson did get to Mahomes twice last week. Maybe the Bengals’ familiarity with Lamar Jackson could help in this situation.
Commanders
Offense :The key to victory for the Commanders is going to be the run game , Jayden Daniels last week ran for 44 yards . Another weapon in that is going to be Brian Robinson Jr. who last week ran for 133 yards. This would be taking advantage of the Bengals rush defense that last week gave up 149 yards to the Chiefs and through two games is giving up 159.4 yards per game rushing.
Defense : The Commanders defense needs to contain Ja’Marr Chase. Even though his last two games Chase has been getting off to a slow start , the Commanders defense needs to make sure the receiver does not have a breakout game. It might be difficult with the return of Tee Higgins, but the Commanders have to limit Chase and his explosiveness.
Prediction :
Bengals 24 Commanders 10
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