Skip to main content

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

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 25, 2023 4:00 PM EDT • 3 min 44 sec read.

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 (, ) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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 . 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.  

Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Our Ja'Marr Chase player props and Rams vs. Bengals parlay offer more ways by which to bet on this matchup.

Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook

Visit our page and click "Follow" (⭐) for the latest odds, picks and news!  

Rams vs. Bengals best odds

,

DraftKingsFanDuelCaesars
43.543.54443.544
Over (-110)/Under (-110)Over (-118)/Under (-104)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 . 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 are on the key number of -3. As of Sunday night, Cincinnati was favored by -6.5 points at 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

Kentucky bettors: Sports betting is coming soon!

Kentucky sports betting will launch Sept. 28 so get pre-launch offers before it's too late! Don't miss out on Kentucky sportsbook promos or the best Kentucky sports betting apps!

21+ and present in KY. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

NFL betting odds pages

Check out our best NFL betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related pages

Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”