The Bengals and Washington Football Team meet in Week 2 of the preseason as Washington looks for a win to even up their record. The highlight of this game would most likely have been Joe Burrow, the Bengals second-year quarterback. However, Burrow will sit out this game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Bengals-Washington Football Team prediction and pick.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Thursday’s matchup.

NFL Odds: Bengals-Washington Football Team Odds

Cincinnati Bengals +4 1/2 (-105)

Washington Football Team -4 1/2 (-115)

Over 35 points (-110)

Under 36 points (-110)

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Why The Bengals Could Win

Although Joe Burrow, one of the league's brightest young stars, remain out for this preseason contest, eyes will still be on the Bengals as they have a compelling battle for their backup quarterback role. Brandon Allen, who started five games for the Bengals in 2020 after Burrow was lost for the season, went 7 for 10 last week, throwing for 77 yards. He threw for five touchdowns in his brief stint as the starter last season, and was a mostly reliable starter for a Bengals team that was never in playoff contention anyway. He'll likely win the backup job again this season, while Burrow returns to the starters role. However, Kyle Shurmur, the second-year quarterback by way of the Vanderbilt Commodores, played solid in the team's opener too. He was 12 for 19, good for 108 yards and a touchdown. Allen is the veteran of the duo, so he also has the edge in experience, but Shurmur might make a case for the backup role if he can make some progress over the next two preseason games. With Shurmur and Allen both playing for something that matters, Cincinnati is a good candidate to top their 19 points from last week.

After all, those two quarterbacks defeated the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers last weekend, so facing Washington's backups should be no greater of a challenge. With the Bengals backup quarterback situation somewhat up for grabs, this offense can put up some numbers on a Washington defense (who in a normal game would be one of the most dominant in football) that is going to be resting their starters for most of this game.

Why The Washington Football Team Could Win

In their preseason opener, Washington primarily used two quarterbacks, both whom played well against the Patriots. Steven Montez, a second-year quarterback out of the University of Colorado, went 17 for 24, throwing for 108 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was a very promising showing for someone who spent most of his rookie season in 2020 on Washington's practice squad. Whether he has a chance to make the active roster is questionable, but playing well enough to earn another spot on the practice squad will likely be a motivating factor for Montez. After his time on the practice squad last season, he was elevated to the active roster for several games late in the regular season.

The other quarterback with significant reps in Week 1 of the preseason was postseason legend Taylor Heinicke. In last season's Wild Card Round, Heinicke became a legend in Landover, Maryland (and in the entire NFL) after throwing for 306 yards, a touchdown, and rushing for an additional touchdown in the Football Team's lost to the eventual champion Bucs. He put himself on the map, and showed that he has the talent to compete against the league's best. With Alex Smith's retirement, Washington brought in another veteran – Ryan Fitzpatrick – to man the quarterback position in Landover this season. But with Heinicke getting a chance to display his talent throughout this shortened preseason, don't be surprised to see him step into the starting role if Fitzpatrick begins to struggle this season. Proving himself capable of being a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL gives Heinicke enough reason to play to his full potential this season, including in this game against Cincinnati. If he can improve on his Week 1 numbers of going 9 for 15 with 86 yards, it could accomplish two things for Washington: A win in the standings and another vote of confidence for the coaching staff in Heinicke rising status as a legitimate NFL QB.

Final Bengals-Washington Football Team Prediction & Pick

When I pick preseason football games, the quarterbacks who make the majority of appearances in the game tell me the most about who has the edge by the end of the contest. Given the matchup of Brandon Allen vs. Taylor Heinicke, it's clear that Heinicke is the better quarterback. Shurmur and Montez will get snaps throughout the game as well, but ultimately I see Heinicke as the quarterback with the best stats in this game. Although it's a preseason game and these scores to end up closer than a normal one, the backup quarterback matchup is still too much of a mismatch to warrant me taking the Bengals, even getting 4 1/2 points. I think Washington improves its offensive output from last game and puts up something along the lines of 24 points, holding Cincinnati to roughly 16 points.

FINAL BENGALS-WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM PICK: Washington Football Team -4 1/2 (-115)