NFL Games Today: Is There a Monday Night Football Game Tonight? Complete Preseason Schedule

The second week of the͏ NFL preseason wraps up tonight with the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the ͏Washington Commanders in the͏ only game ͏on the schedule. Both teams enter this primetime matchup͏ with ͏very different results ͏from ͏their preseason ͏openers, and the outcome could offer ͏more clarity on͏ roster ͏battles and depth chart decisions͏.

While Cincinnati’s offense looked sharp in losing to the͏ Philadelphia Eagles, ͏Washington struggled͏ heavily against the New England Patriots. Now, all eyes are on͏ how͏ each side will respond under the͏ lights͏ on͏ ESPN.

NFL Preseason Schedule for Monday, August 18

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

Bengals vs. Commanders Matchup Preview

Bengals Outlook

The Bengals lost their preseason opener 34-27 to the Eagles but left Lincoln Financial Field with positives. Head coach Zac Taylor played his starters for a full quarter to help the team avoid slow starts.

Quarterback Joe Burrow completed nine of ten passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught all four targets for 77 yards and a score.

Defensively, Cincinnati was without BJ ͏Hill, Trey Hendrickso͏n, ͏Cam T͏ayl͏or-Britt, and Dax͏ Hill. The first-team defence allowed 1͏0 ͏points and struggled with ͏coverage breakdowns similar ͏to ͏last season.

First 9 ➡️ 1 TD hits different #CINvsPHI on Bengals Preseason TV Network pic.twitter.com/8S6KJyiznp

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 8, 2025

Rookies S͏h͏emar Ste͏wa͏rt and Tahj Brooks were standouts. St͏ewart recorded a tackle for loss, and Brooks͏ impressed ͏in pass protection while adding 21 ͏rushing͏ yards on͏ eight ͏carries.

Commanders Outlook

Washington’s preseason began with a 48-18 loss to the Patriots, highlighted by a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown allowed on the first play.

Which Patriots player impressed you the most in the Patriots vs Commanders preseason game? I had 4!

Mine:
Special Teams: TreVeyon Henderson
Offense: Efton Chism
Defense: Jordan Polk, DJ James #patriots #nfl #football #randymoss #newenglandpatriots #patsnation #julianedelman pic.twitter.com/14VY5PXwa8

— Patrio7s (@PATRIO7S_) August 9, 2025

Head coach Dan Quinn called the game “sloppy” and responded with immediate roster changes, signing cornerbacks Essang Bassey and Antonio Hamilton Sr., plus linebacker Duke Riley. Three players were released, including 2023 seventh-round defensive end Viliami Fehoko Jr..

Rookie ͏running back Jacory Croskey-Merr͏itt ͏stood out by gaining 32 yards on eight touches, displaying sharp cutting ability and maintaining solid control of the football. He briefly exited with a shoulder issue͏, but it͏ was ͏confirmed as minor. Rookie offensive tackle͏ ͏Josh Conerly Jr. also earned ͏praise͏ for his debut ͏performance.

With Cincinnati͏ looking to ͏keep its offensive momentum going and Washington aiming to clean up mistakes͏, ͏tonight’s matchup ͏could offer valuable ͏insight for both coaching staffs ahead of the ͏regular season.