Bengals vs. Rams MNF Odds & Betting Promos: Is Joe Burrow Playing?
The Los Angeles Rams (1-1) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 25. Bengals odds show Cincinnati is a spread favorite and on the moneyline, with Rams odds at as the best price for LA to win across sports betting sites. The point total is set at . In this article, we break down everything you need to know before placing a bet on Bengals vs. Rams in Monday Night Football odds, including the status of Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and his calf injury.
Bengals vs. Rams Betting Odds
NFL Week 3 odds are explained below. Know what you’re betting before you bet it. You may click any of the odds in this post to navigate to the sportsbook to place a bet.
Bengals vs. Rams Props
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Bengals vs. Rams Player Props
Bengals vs. Rams weather
Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is forecast to see 62-degree weather on Monday evening. Winds should be modest at 5 to 10 mph, but there is a distinct chance of yet more rainy weather for a Bengals game. A 30% chance exists in the forecast.
Bengals vs. Rams Injury Report
NFL teams finalize their injury reports two days before a game and denote whether a player is questionable, doubtful or out. Practice participation is also logged throughout the week. Here are the Rams injury report and Bengals injury report for this week. Prior to kickoff, you can also check the Bengals’ Twitter for inactives to see if Burrow is on the list.
Starters On The Injury Report
Obviously, Cincinnati’s starting QB Joe Burrow will be the name everyone is watching, not only for this game but the entire NFL weekend. Burrow’s availability figures to swing this line many points, with traders on the record saying the Rams will likely close as favorites should Jake Browning be pressed into service. The undrafted former blue-chipper has yet to take a meaningful NFL snap.
However, the line started moving back towards Cincinnati Monday afternoon with reports Burrow would try to play.
Rams breakout star WR Puka Nacua missed practice on Thursday, but Sean McVay said his oblique injury won’t keep him out of this game.
Rams Offense vs. Bengals Defense
The Bengals are not off to a very promising start in life after Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. They’ve allowed more than 50 total points through two games despite facing the Browns and an injury-plagued Ravens bunch. EPA/play data has the Bengals 20th against opposing passing games, though obviously, it’s still early.
That’s going to have to change here as that’s where the Rams do the bulk of their offensive damage. Matt Stafford had a rough go against a stalwart 49ers defense, but he tore the Seahawks to shreds the week prior. Stopping Puka Nacua will be of paramount importance (raise your hand if you saw that coming two weeks ago), which will likely prove difficult since the Bengals secondary does not feature any stoppers unless Chidobe Awuzie returns to form.
The 49ers were able to make life miserable for Stafford, which has historically caused him to make big mistakes in the form of interceptions. However, crucially, the Bengals have the fourth-worst pressure rate in the NFL thus far. If that continues, this secondary could wind up mincemeat again.
Bengals Offense vs. Rams Defense
There are two different Bengals offenses that could take the field on Monday Night.
In the first case, Joe Burrow plays. What was supposed to be a fully operational Death Star of a passing offense but has actually been largely awful would present a theoretically difficult matchup for the Rams. LA has a pretty inexperienced secondary light on talent. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase can probably run rampant.
Furthermore, the Bengals have one of the best centers in the NFL, Ted Karras. That will likely prove helpful for limiting Aaron Donald, even if that isn’t a one-man job.
In the second case, where Burrow doesn’t play, any number of scenarios could play out. Bettors should have wildly low expectations for Jake Browning, considering he exited college several seasons back and has yet to play a meaningful snap. Anything from the Bengals putting up a bagel to Browning playing a halfway decent game due to his great supporting case and the weak opposition would be in play.
Reasons To Bet The Over/Under
The current number reflects a chance that Burrow plays, but it’s a bit of a hedge. Therefore, 43.5 will likely prove much too low if both QBs are healthy and available, given the lack of resistance these secondaries have provided thus far in the young season.
Again, both sides have clear matchup advantages. The Rams have a weak offensive line, but the Bengals pass rush has been anemic so far. As long as Stafford has protection, he can beat this defense. And if Burrow plays, his receivers should have no trouble getting open. The only question is whether Burrow’s leg is healthy enough for him to consistently get them the ball.
A Jake Browning-shaped wrench would probably drop this number a tad, though it’s hard to see how it could go too much lower given the quality of the defenses in play.
Final Thoughts
Right now, the market is clearly uncertain about Burrow’s availability, which has created a bit of a middling situation. Aggressive bettors can take advantage by locking in speculative plays early and just living with the results if their read of the Burrow injury proves off. For instance, betting the Bengals and the over would provide piles of closing line value should Burrow play and perform something like his normal self.
Admittedly, it’s hard to know what he’s capable of, though, after a complete stinkbomb in Week 1 and a piddling 5.4 YPA in Week 2.
Whatever you do, don’t play a teaser bet on this one. It may look tempting based on the Rams sitting at +2.5. However, remember that teasers rely on market certainty, and this game features anything but.
My recommendation would be to play the Rams moneyline now at a plus number if you feel like Burrow sits, or try Bengals and the over if you think he plays. Personally, I like Over 43.5 as an early play, as there’s still a chance the game could go over that even if Burrow winds up sitting. But if he plays, I expect a number more like 47 here.
Best of luck betting on Bengals vs. Rams odds.
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