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The Cincinnati Bengals will again be without starting quarterback Joe Burrow when they visit the Washington Commanders in NFL preseason Week 2 action on Friday. The WFT is a solid favorite on the NFL odds.

How to Bet Bengals at Washington NFL Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 8 PM ET
Where: FedExField, Landover, Md.
TV: NFL Network
Radio: http://www.siriusxm.com/nfl
Stream Option: NFL Network app
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/main/network/watch
Opening NFL Lines: Washington -4.5 (total 34.5)

Last Meeting

The clubs met in Week 11 last year and the Washington Football Team prevailed 20-9 at home. That was the game in which Bengals star QB Joe Burrow severely injured his knee, ending his season. He was 22-of-34 passing for 203 yards and a touchdown before being carted off. Top Bengals running back Joe Mixon was out injured. Washington running back Antonio Gibson ran for 94 yards and a TD.

Why Bet on Cincinnati?

The Bengals were 19-14 upset winners at Tampa Bay in their preseason opener playing without starting QB Joe Burrow, and he won’t play here, either. Chris Evans finished a long drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and kickers Evan McPherson and Austin Seibert combined for four second-half field goals for the Bengals. Rookie No. 5 overall pick Ja’Marr Chase caught his only target for 16 yards. The Bengals got extended looks at Brandon Allen and Kyle Shurmur at quarterback.

Cincinnati’s defense impressed as a whole against Tampa Bay, recording two INTs, a fumble recovery and four total sacks. Rookies accounted for all of the Bengals’ sacks and nine of the team’s 13 total QB hits. Cincinnati put the pressure on Tampa Bay’s passers all night long.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor is comfortable playing Burrow yet and may not at all this preseason: “We’re just not there yet,” Taylor said. “He could do it, I’m sure he wants to do it. But again, our No. 1 thing is making sure our guys are ready to play in Week 1 against Minnesota, so putting him out there is just not what we’re going to do.”

The Bengals lead the preseason series with Washington 6-3-1, including victories in four of their last five meetings. The teams last met in preseason in 2019, a 23-13 Bengals win at FedExField. Of the 10 preseason meetings between the two, six have come in Washington, three in Cincinnati and one in Canton, Ohio. The Bengals are scheduled to wear white jerseys and black pants (orange stripes) this week.

Defensive backs Eli Apple and Ricardo Allen will not play for the second-straight week despite both players returning to practice earlier this week. After coming off perhaps his two worst seasons in his career, the Falcons cut Allen. The Bengals acquired the veteran safety, signing him to a one-year deal worth roughly $1.4 million. Khalid Kareem, Trayveon Williams, Trey Hopkins and Joseph Ossai will also not suit up.

Why Bet on Washington?

Washington was a 22-13 loser at New England in Week 1 of the preseason. QB Steven Montez appeared to complete a 2-point conversion pass to Antonio Gandy-Golden to tie the game late. But a booth review overturned the call. Pats running back Rhamondre Stevenson then got free down the sideline on the third play of New England’s ensuing series to put away the game with a 91-yard TD.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a short night in his debut for Washington, playing just two series before Rivera went to Taylor Heinicke. Fitzpatrick made the most of his limited work, going 5 of 8 for 58 yards. Heinicke was 9 of 15 for 86 yards. Peyton Barber had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Star running back Antonio Gibson received zero third down snaps. Gibson was targeted three times on the night, while exiting in the second quarter.

Kyle Allen, who is battling Heinicke for the No. 2 job, didn’t play in the opener after aggravating his surgically repaired ankle during the first week of training camp but says he will play here. Tight end Sammy Reyes will miss Friday’s game after he was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Reyes was impressive in his debut vs. the Patriots, catching two passes for 25 yards. He played 33 snaps — a team-high among its skill position players — and made a mark with his blocking. Coach Ron Rivera complimented Reyes, suggesting he might be the most physical tight end in the run game.

Washington activated WR Curtis Samuel from the PUP list this week but he won’t be ready to play in this game. In 2020 with Carolina, Samuel played in 15 games with five starts. He recorded 77 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns. He also registered 41 rushes for 200 yards and two scores.

Samuel was activated from the COVID-19 list last week. It’s been two months since Samuel last practiced after sitting out minicamp. Washington seems likely to move Samuel slowly, but this puts him on track to play in the final preseason game.