Rams vs. Bengals Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3: Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football's main event in Week 3 is a former Super Bowl rematch between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals as we make our top Rams-Bengals prediction 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 MNF and all of our Rams vs. Bengals player props, here is our best Rams vs. Bengals prediction for Monday Night Football (odds via our best NFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-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 this week and is day-to-day with a lingering calf injury he re-aggravated on the team’s final drive against the Ravens. We're leaning towards Burrow playing, since Jake Browning is the only other quarterback on their current roster. However, because of the unknown, we made the Under our most confident pick instead of picking a side on the point spread.
Burrow hasn't completed any 12 passes that traveled 15-plus air yards this season, the only QB with multiple starts and no completions of that distance, per CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson. If he does play through his injury, he'll be a sitting duck in the pocket, dangerous considering he entered 2023 as the most sacked quarterback (92 times) over the last two seasons. Look for the Rams' secondary to sit on short routes with Burrow needing to get the ball out quick, as his 4.2 yards per attempt this year are tied for an NFL last.
Rams QB Matt Stafford established an instant connection with wide receiver Puka Nacua, the first wideout in NFL history with 100-plus receiving yards and 10 or more catches in his first career game. However, that partnership hasn't propelled Stafford’s passing touchdown potential, as he has one passing TD or fewer 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 while punting 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 so far, especially out of the Bengals' offense, even a healthy Burrow wouldn't necessarily light up the scoreboard.
Our Ja'Marr Chase player props and Rams vs. Bengals parlay offer more ways by which to bet on this matchup.
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Rams vs. Bengals best odds
BetMGM, bet365 (-110)
DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
---|---|---|---|---|
43.5 | 43.5 | 44 | 43.5 | 44 |
Over (-110)/Under (-110) | Over (-118)/Under (-104) | Over (-110)/Under (-110) | Over (-110)/Under (-110) | Over (-110)/Under (-110) |
For Under backers, DraftKings and FanDuel provide the best value, as they're the only two sportsbooks offering a total as high as 44. When comparing all shops, FanDuel charges -118 in juice to back the Over of 43.5, which suggests they might get more wagers on that side to this point. The Under is 8-1 in Cincinnati’s last nine September games.
Rams vs. Bengals odds for Monday Night Football
Rams vs. Bengals odds analysis
The Over/Under was as high as 46.5 at FanDuel Monday morning (more commonly 46 at competing sportsbooks) but since dropped at least 2 points at all shops. The line movement is likely solely related to Burrow’s injury status, as the Over still received 69% of early wagers.
Caesars is the only shop offering Bengals -2.5, as all other betting sites are on the key number of -3. As of Sunday night, Cincinnati was favored by -6.5 points at BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars, but the line came down closer to a field goal by Monday afternoon. There was good two-way action on the point spread, with a 55/45 split in favor of the Bengals.
Cincinnati’s moneyline odds range from -130 at Caesars to -157 at BetRivers.
Monday Night Football game info
- When: Monday, Sept. 25 at 8:15 p.m. ET
- Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- How to watch: ESPN/ESPN2
- Weather: 79 degrees, 21% chance of precipitation, 8-mph ESE wind
Rams-Bengals prediction made 9/22/23 at 9:57 a.m. ET
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