Rams (1-1) at Bengals (0-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: ESPN
Spread (BetMGM):
Bengals by 1.5
Rams’ keys to victory: Their offensive line was excellent in the first six quarters of the season but showed cracks in its armor in the second half against the 49ers. Against Cincinnati, the line will need to do a much better job protecting QB Matthew Stafford because he was under constant duress, which caused the offense to stall badly. Defensively, the Rams don’t have the secondary to contain WR Ja’Marr Chase, so it’ll take a group effort, with the corners and a safety over the top, to contain him.
Bengals’ keys to victory: If they are going to get out of this winless rut, QB Joe Burrow will need to be much better. He hasn’t been sharp this season, which has dragged the entire offense down. He needs to get the ball to Chase, who had just three catches for 51 yards in Week 2. Stafford wasn’t sharp when pressured last Sunday against the 49ers, so if the Bengals want to disrupt a surprisingly good Rams offense, getting to Stafford is critical.
Matchup to watch: Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon vs. Bengals WR Tee Higgins. Higgins is going to get most of his snaps outside, and the Rams have only one cornerback with the size to match up with him, so it’ll be on Witherspoon to slow down the resurgent receiver. Higgins had two TDs in Week 2 after going without a catch in Week 1.
Who wins? The Rams look significantly better than expected, and despite losing to the 49ers, they’re going to give Cincinnati a battle and come away with a statement win in prime time.
Rams 24-21