Monday Night Football doubleheader features Bills vs. Jaguars, Bengals vs. Commanders
The NFL has a Monday Night Football doubleheader tonight.
Quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will host Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals host rookie QB Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders a little later Monday in a nationally televised matchup.
While Monday Night Football typically is reserved for one game weekly during the NFL season, the league is offering a doubleheader during Weeks 3 and 4 on its biggest stage.
Here’s everything you need to know about the two Monday Night Football games in Week 3 and how to watch them:
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- How to watch: ESPN
- Betting odds: BUF (-5.5); O/U 45.5
Allen and the Bills are off to a 2-0 start despite significant roster turnover from their run to four consecutive AFC East titles. Still, Allen and the Bills appear like a formidable bunch offensively, averaging 32.5 points per game through the first two weeks – good for third in the NFL behind the New Orleans Saints (45.5) and Arizona Cardinals (34.5). Starting running back James Cook has three of Buffalo’s seven touchdowns this season.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are off to a disappointing start to begin coach Doug Pedersen’s third season. Lawrence has thrown a touchdown and running back Travis Etienne Jr. has two rushing touchdowns, but Jacksonville has averaged 15 points per game, seventh-worst in the league, through the first two games. It’s not the most inspiring start for the playoff hopefuls in a competitive AFC South.
Washington Commanders (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ABC, ESPN+
- Betting odds: CIN (-7.5); O/U 47.5
Folks in the Bayou will be tuned in for this battle between Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks from LSU – Burrow (2019) and Daniels (2023).
After a disappointing loss to the New England Patriots in Week 1, Burrow and the Bengals nearly beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. The Bengals have started five of their past six seasons with a 0-2 record, so this is far from unfamiliar territory. But Burrow and coach Zac Taylor know getting their first win this season could do wonders for camaraderie and the fan base. Maybe, Ja’Marr Chase can find his old groove, while Tee Higgins can make his season debut as Cincinnati’s contract-seeking receivers await new deals.
The Commanders hope to find their groove offensively. After three touchdowns in Week 1, Washington used seven field goals to beat the New York Giants last week. Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, knows he needs to find star receiver Terry McLaurin more (eight catches, 39 yards), while his backfield of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler (221 yards rushing, 151 yards receiving combined) have done a solid job keeping the offense afloat. Daniels has been dynamic with 410 yards passing, a 75.5 completion percentage and 132 yards rushing in his first two games.