The Cincinnati Bengals hit the road for a preseason showdown in Maryland, locking horns with the Washington Commanders in game two of the summer slate. Both sides are looking to bounce back after opening-week losses away from home.
Last year, the Bengals stumbled out of the gates, and while a late five-game surge brought them back into contention, their 9-8 finish wasn’t enough to secure a playoff ticket.
Cincinnati’s preseason curtain-raiser saw them fall 34-27 to Philadelphia despite Burrow looking razor-sharp, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one of them to Chase. The offense churned out 325 total yards but turned the ball over once. The defense, however, leaked 432 yards — 300 through the air — to an Eagles side that largely rolled out its backups, raising early concerns.
READ MORE: Fubo Review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions, free trials and more
Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals: Date and kick-off time
Commanders will take on Bengals in a highly anticipated NFL game onMonday, August 18, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET or 5:00 pm PT, at Northwest Stadium in Summerfield, Maryland, United States.
| Date | Monday, August 18, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 8:00 pm ET or 5:00 pm PT |
| Venue | Northwest Stadium |
| Location | Summerfield, Maryland |
How to watch Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals on TV & stream live online
TV channel: WJAX (CBS/47 - Jacksonville) , WVUE (FOX/8 - New Orleans), NFL Network
Streaming service: Fubo
Watching NFL action this season just got easier, and more versatile, with a mix of traditional TV broadcasts and exclusive streaming options. When it comes to convenience and coverage, Fubo stands out as one of the most user-friendly ways to catch nearly every down and touchdown.
With access to nearly 200 channels, Fubo lets fans tune in to all the key networks that carry NFL games, including CBS, NBC for Sunday Night Football, Fox for Sunday NFC clashes, ABC, ESPN for Monday Night Football, and the NFL Network. That means you’re covered for almost every regular season and playoff matchup. Want even more action? You can tack on NFL RedZone for an extra $11/month and stay locked into every scoring drive from around the league on Sundays.
While Amazon Prime Video remains the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football in 2025, fans in local team markets can still stream those primetime matchups through Fubo, making it a flexible all-in-one option.
And it's not just football — Fubo is loaded with sports content. From MLB, NBA, and NHL games to MLS and international soccer, there's something for every fan year-round. Right now, Fubo's sweetening the deal for new subscribers with $20 off your first month of the Pro or Elite plan, and $5 off the Latino package.
Streaming the game with a VPN
Unable to watch this game due to broadcast restrictions? A VPN could be the answer to your problems.
When it comes to streaming live sports, NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN service in 2025. You can even try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals team news
Washington Commanders team news
Across the field, Washington enters Year Two under Dan Quinn with expectations sky-high after last season’s fairytale run to the NFC Championship game. Led by sensational rookie-turned-star Jayden Daniels, the Commanders posted a 12-5 regular season before falling just short of the Super Bowl. The offseason saw the headline arrival of Deebo Samuel via trade from San Francisco, bolstering an attack that also boasts Terry McLaurin and veteran tight end Zach Ertz. The front office doubled down on protecting Daniels by acquiring Laremy Tunsil and drafting Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. In the backfield, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will again share the workload.
If there’s a sore spot, it’s the run defense — ranked 30th last year — which Washington addressed by adding Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Deatrich Wise Jr.. Bobby Wagner remains the steadying presence at linebacker, joined by newcomer Frankie Luvu, while Marshon Lattimore gets his first full season in burgundy and gold. Rookie Trey Amos is another fresh face in a secondary looking to make strides.
Their preseason opener was a forgettable 48-18 drubbing in New England, where the starters never took the field. Backup Josh Johnson went 15-of-22 for 177 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while the defense surrendered 327 yards but managed one takeaway.
Injury watch: Cameron McCutcheon is out. Jonnu Smith, Calvin Austin III, Darius Slay, and Will Howard are listed as questionable.
Cincinnati Bengals team news
Now, the pressure is firmly on Zac Taylor, who finds himself in must-deliver territory after back-to-back postseason misses — a sharp fall from their Super Bowl appearance just three years ago. The offensive arsenal remains formidable, with Joe Burrow back under center and arguably the league’s premier wideout duo in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase Brown emerged as the lead back last year and will look to build on that form, but keeping Burrow upright remains the top priority. If the big men up front hold their ground, Cincinnati has every chance of returning to January football.
Defensively, the Bengals are banking on a fresh approach under new coordinator Al Golden, poached from Notre Dame, to patch up a unit that lagged badly last year. The ongoing contract standoff with sack king Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL in takedowns in 2024, looms large. In the linebacking corps, Logan Wilson leads the charge, while rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter could be thrown into the deep end early. The secondary is anchored by Cam Taylor-Britt, but cohesion across all levels will be Golden’s biggest test.
Injury list: Jermaine Burton, Mike Gesicki, BJ Hill, Kendall Milton, and Dax Hill are sidelined.