Monday Night Football Picks Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals

by Mike Allen - 9/20/2023

Monday Night Football picks for Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals Matthew Stafford

I hope you have two TV screens, or at least a laptop, to assist in your Monday Night Football viewing experience. I thought the whole point of Monday night games was to focus solely on that game. Well, we have another 7:15 and 8:15 PM Eastern start time to the MNF slate this week.

Don't get used to it, though, because next week, we will return to just one NFL game on Monday night.

The Los Angeles Rams could be my early season darling. I have to be upfront with you guys. I am starting to catch some feelings.

I have yet to understand all the hate that has come their way, or should I say, lack of expectations. After starting quarterback Matthew Stafford went down with a serious spinal injury, it's as if people had written off the former Super Bowl champions far too quickly.

The LA Rams competed with the San Francisco 49ers for three quarters of football on this past Sunday. I am pretty sure most everyone has the Niners at the top of their power rankings after Week 2.

Their Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, specifically holding them to 13 points, is looking much better now that Seattle dropped 30+ in a win over the Detroit Lions.

The Cincinnati Bengals, conversely, have looked unprepared through the first two weeks of the regular season, while Joe Burrow is clearly limited in his play from an injury to his calf. The latest word out of Ohio on Burrow is that it is "Hard to say" whether he will be able to play against the Rams on Monday night.

Let’s look at these backward betting odds and make a bet!

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Betting Odds

Rams @ Bengals Point Spread

Cincinnati: -1.5 (-110)

Los Angeles: +1.5 (-110)

The Cincinnati Bengals played a much more competitive game in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens than in their Week 1 loss of 24-3 to the Cleveland Browns.

I suppose the betting line isn’t backward. The Bengals are the home team. However, how can you back them as favorites when your quarterback is listed as questionable?

Side note: I would definitely throw the Rams in a teaser and get them past the two key numbers of three and seven up to (+7.5). Cooper Kupp is still out until Week 5, but the Rams didn't go anywhere. I would not want to play them down the stretch, granted they are fairly healthy.

Moneyline

Cincinnati: -135

Los Angeles: +115

We are getting .25 cents more on our payout with a Rams outright win on the road. The Bengals need Burrow, though. They don't have much of a backup, and it's starting to be clear that they may need to take one step back to take several forward.

Point Total

Over 43: -115

Under 43: -105

I am staying away from this. We still don’t know whether Burrow will play.

Analysis

The Rams have traveled to Seattle and smoked the 12th Man. Then they went out and competed with the best team in football. They are a playoff team.

The offense ranks 2nd in the NFL in yards/game, 2nd in 3rd down conversion %, and 1st in red zone scoring %.

These are major indicators, and one game was against an elite defense.

The Rams have had a hard time moving the ball on the ground, though, averaging less than three yards/carry. LA struggles to stop the run as well, ranking in the cellar of the NFL, allowing 5.3 yards/carry.

Cincinnati isn't much better against the run, allowing an even 5.0 per rush. Their offense has been the worst for them. The Bengals are dead last in the league, averaging just 3.8 yards per offensive play.

Oh, and 3.9 yards/pass! That's with Joe Burrow and elite wide receivers. Something has to give, but when?

Prediction

I like the LA Rams to win this one outright. If Burrow sits out, however, I love the pick! Hopefully, that’s how it plays out, because Los Angeles will move to a betting favorite if that’s the case.

Pick: Los Angeles Moneyline (+115)

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