Rams vs. Bengals Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3: Monday Night Football

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23 September 2023

Rams vs. Bengals Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3: Monday Night Football

The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals meet in a rematch of Super Bowl LVI, and our top Rams-Bengals predictions for Monday Night Football are based on the best NFL odds from our best sports betting apps.

The Los Angeles Rams lost 30-23 to the San Francisco 49ers last week and dipped to 6-13 since winning Super Bowl LVI.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2 for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Zac Taylor. Last week’s 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens also snapped a seven-game home winning streak (including the playoffs).

The status of Cincy quarterback Joe Burrow (calf) is up in the air, as he’s been officially listed as questionable for the contest.

To accompany our NFL best bets for Week 3 and all of our NFL Week 3 predictions, hereis our best Rams vs. Bengals prediction for Monday Night Football (odds via ourbestNFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a1-to-5-star scale).

Rams vs. Bengals prediction: Monday Night Football

Under 44 (-110 via BetMGM,bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow won't practice in full thisweek and is day-to-day with a lingering calf injury he re-aggravatedon the team’s final drive against the Ravens. We're leaning towardsBurrow playing, since Jake Browning is the only other quarterback on their current roster. However, because of the unknown, we made the Under our mostconfident pick instead of picking a side on the point spread.

Burrow hasn't completed any 12 passes that traveled15-plus air yards this season, the only QB with multiplestarts and no completions of that distance, per CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson. If he doesplay through his injury, he'll be a sitting duck in the pocket, dangerous considering he entered 2023 as the most sacked quarterback (92times) over the last two seasons. Look for the Rams' secondary to sit on shortroutes with Burrow needing to get the ball out quick, as his 4.2 yardsper attempt this year are tied for an NFL last.

Rams QB Matt Stafford established an instantconnection with wide receiver Puka Nacua, the first wideoutin NFL history with 100-plus receiving yards and 10 or more catches in hisfirst career game. However, that partnership hasn't propelledStafford’s passing touchdown potential, as he has one passing TD orfewer in nine of 11 matchups since last season's start.

Expect a low-scoring contest, as Cincinnati averages 13.5 points per game and scored just two offensive TDs whilepunting 13 times. The Under is a solid four-star play, as the total likely plummets if Burrow doesn't suit up. From what we've seen sofar, especially out of the Bengals' offense, even a healthy Burrow wouldn'tnecessarily light up the scoreboard.

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Rams vs. Bengals best odds

ForUnder backers, DraftKings and FanDuel provide the best value, as they're theonly two sportsbooks offering a total as high as 44. When comparing all shops, FanDuel charges -118 in juice to back theOver of 43.5, which suggests they might get more wagers on that side tothis point. The Under is 8-1 in Cincinnati’s last nine September games.

Rams vs. Bengals odds for Monday Night Football

TheOver/Under was as high as 46.5 at FanDuel Monday morning (more commonly 46at competing sportsbooks) but since dropped at least 2 points at allshops. The line movement is likely solely related to Burrow’s injury status, asthe Over still received 69% of early wagers.

Caesarsis the only shop offering Bengals -2.5, as all other betting sites are on the keynumber of -3. As of Sunday night, Cincinnati was favored by -6.5 points atBetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars, but the line came down closer to afield goal by Monday afternoon. There was good two-way action on the pointspread, with a 55/45 split in favor of the Bengals.

Cincinnati’smoneyline odds range from -130 at Caesars to -157 at BetRivers.