Bills, Bengals favored in MNF doubleheader
Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet
The Jaguars (0-2) are 5.5-point road underdogs against the Bills (2-0), while the Bengals (0-2) are 7-point home favorites against the Commanders (1-1) for the season's first Monday Night Football doubleheader. Both games have a 46.5 total.
The Jaguars are desperate after a Week 1 collapse to the Dolphins and a Week 2 loss to the Browns. An 0-3 hole would effectively end Jacksonville's season three weeks in. Only four of the 162 teams that have started 0-3 since 1990 made the playoffs. Doug Pederson would likely be out as the Jaguars coach without a postseason berth for the second straight season.
Trevor Lawrence has struggled to start the season, completing just 51% of his passes. Lawrence's passing yards prop is 224.5, which he's failed to reach in the first two games. The Bills' defense has allowed just 179 passing yards per game.
Jacksonville got an unlucky draw in a crucial Week 3 matchup traveling to one of the league's toughest atmospheres against a Super Bowl contender. The Bills have the second-best odds to win the AFC and the third-best odds to win the Super Bowl.
Josh Allen's terrific start to the season has him as the second-favorite to win MVP behind Patrick Mahomes. His passing yards prop is also 224.5. The over on Allen's passing yards is the most-bet non-touchdown-scorer prop of the game.
Buffalo's ground game has been just as important as its passing attack. James Cook is averaging five yards per carry. His rushing yards prop against the Jaguars is 69.5. He went over that in the first two games, but Jacksonville has the NFL's ninth-best rushing defense.
The public and sharp money are on the Bills, with 71% of bets and handle (money wagered) on Buffalo to cover -5.5.
The Bengals are in a similarly desperate spot as the Jaguars at 0-2 after an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Patriots and a valiant Week 2 effort against the Chiefs that ultimately ended in a loss.
Unlike the Jaguars, Cincinnati faces a lowly Washington group in a crucial spot. The Bengals are the largest favorite of Week 3. They were also the largest favorite in Week 1 and lost outright to the Patriots.
Cincinnati showed offensive improvement in Week 2. Joe Burrow looked uncomfortable and out of sorts in the opener, which led to stale offensive production. He threw for just 164 yards and no touchdowns. Burrow dialed in the following week, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
His passing yards prop against Washington's suspect defense is 274.5. Ja'Marr Chase hasn't seriously impacted the Bengals through two games with 10 receptions for 97 yards. His receptions prop for Monday night is 6.5, and his yards prop is 79.5, neither of which he's gone over in a game this season.
Washington's lone win was against the Giants in a game the Commanders didn't score a single touchdown. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is a fierce runner but an unwilling and unproven passer. His rushing yards prop is 49.5, while his passing yards total is 199.5. The Bengals have allowed the league's fewest passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Bettors are backing the desperate Bengals, with 62% of the bets and 59% of the handle on the Bengals spread.
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.