Bengals vs Commanders: On Monday Night Football tonight, the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Washington Commanders 31-17 in a preseason thriller. Read our full Bengals vs Commanders recap, including scores, key stats, Joe Burrow insights, rookie Jayden Daniels’ debut, Commanders schedule, Bengals depth chart notes, and an expert prediction breakdown.
Game Recap: Bengals vs Commanders Preseason MNF
The Cincinnati Bengals shut down the Washington Commanders 31-17 in Monday Night Football’s Week 2 preseason game, a matchup that fans had circled—featuring Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Sam Hartman, and a shifting Commanders backfield.
Turnovers swung the momentum—safeties recovering after an early long run—leading to touchdown drives featuring Charlie Jones and Mitchell Tinsley, who scored twice before halftime. Tahj Brooks also scored, and Evan McPherson capped the night with a booming 54-yard field goal.
Takeaways spotlight: Joe Burrow orchestrated two TD drives; Bengals made full use of their depth; early performances from backups set a positive tone.
What to Watch — Key Player Highlights & QB Notes
- Joe Burrow: In a ESPN sideline interview, Burrow acknowledged, “we still got some kinks to work out,” showing early accountability ahead of the regular season.
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders): Delivered a 14-yard scramble touchdown in his limited debut—highlighting his athletic upside. He played just four snaps but made an impression.
- Brian Robinson Jr.: Did not play amid escalating trade rumors. The Commanders’ backfield saw action from Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt instead.
- Secondary spotlight: Rookie CB Trey Amos is being tested early against elite Bengals WRs—a key confidence moment vital for his development.
Broadcast & Schedule Insight
- MNF Tonight: Bengals vs Commanders kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on ESPN, and streaming on Watch ESPN, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV, and Sling.
- Commanders Schedule Snapshot: Preseason coverage includes this primetime showcase before starting the regular season vs the Giants. Trade drama and McLaurin’s contract saga added backdrop tension.
- Bengals Depth Chart Notes: Amid preseason play, Dax Hill returned; camp intensity spiked, notably in combative drills involving Shemar Stewart.
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media after #CINvsWAS https://t.co/7mQa1vpx7G
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 19, 2025
Predictions & Odds (Post-Match Lens)
Pre-game, CBS Sports’ Larry Hartstein had Bengals as -4.5 point favorites with an over/under of 42.5 points. Burrow’s extended reps and sharp passes to WRs like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins factored heavily.
Post-game, the prediction held true—Bengals scored 31, exceeding projections, and displayed offensive rhythm and defensive opportunism.
Tactical Notes & Depth Chart Dynamics
| Team | Notable Depth Metrics |
|---|---|
| Bengals | Strong QB continuity with Burrow; depth at WR is paying dividends with players like Tinsley and Jones stepping up. RB rotation including Tahj Brooks is effective. |
| Commanders | QB carousel with Daniels, Hartman; Robinson Jr. uncertain; Deebo and McLaurin return contentiously; CB Trey Amos is being fast-tracked. |
Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Week 2: Schedule, TV, Radio, Online Streaming, Odds, and morehttps://t.co/eXNyS4hOJf
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) August 18, 2025
What This Means Heading into 2025 Season
- Bengals start establishing early schemas; Burrow’s leadership and wide receiver depth may be intimidating come Week 1.
- Commanders face roster questions—RB uncertainty, QB hierarchy, and injured veterans may hamper continuity.
- Daniels’ splash offer a hopeful storyline, but consistency required when backups rotate in.
- Match serves as early indicator of readiness, but depth chart battles remain open.