There’s no question that the Bengals have disappointed to open the 2023 season, and Joe Burrow’s nagging injury is certainly not a cause for optimism. At the same time, Cincinnati comes to us at a discount in this spot. Burrow playing the entire game is the risk we are taking here, and don’t get it twisted, it’s a risk. But he is starting, which would not happen if Cincy was unsure he could protect himself in the face of Aaron Donald. As such, we’re getting value on a desperate Bengals side playing at home. Cincinnati was the third-best cover team in the league last season and has plenty of fire power to keep Los Angeles on its heels.

Barring an 11th-hour setback, Bengals QB Joe Burrow's lobbying to play despite a hobbled calf muscle appears to have paid off. Seems likely that he would not subject himself to Rams peerless DT Aaron Donald if not able to move around. Cincy is solid as a favorite, having covered in 10 of the last 13 while yielding points. Though L.A. is off to a decent start, let's not forget that its wins totals prior to the season was 6.5, among the league's lowest. WR Cooper Kupp remains out, and rookie WR Puka Nacua, who went from anonymity to stardom in an eyeblink, cannot continue his torrid receptions pace.

This is the correct pick; Over was accidentally entered first. In their first two games, the Rams have run 78 and 77 plays, respectively. This is statistically an anomaly. They should run about 60 tonight. Thus, the numbers will regress even if they are just as efficient as they’ve been. The number that has not been adjusted for this is Stafford's completions. Play it Under.

Obviously this is all on the assumption that Joe Burrow plays. Would that talented Cincy team really fall to 0-3 even with Burrow maybe at 75 percent? I don't think so. Doesn't it feel like a Joe Cool type of signature game? I'm not even a Burrow fan and it does to me. Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo did a fine job scheming for this Rams offense two years ago in the Super Bowl, and that unit obviously isn't near what it was all due respect to Puka Nacua, who I'm already trying to flip as a Fantasy dynasty draft steal. It's the first time LA has played in the Eastern Time Zone in many months and that matters a little even at night.

There is no way the Bengals lose this game. Period. End of argument. Sometimes it’s that simple.

Expect the passing game to open up tonight for the Cincinnati Bengals. They get to step outside their division after playing the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. This is also a game of huge importance to avoid an 0-3 hole. They will be aggressive offensively and Tee Higgins should have his second straight week of a big game.

It remains unclear whether Joe Burrow will start and play a full game tonight, but the moderately injured Joe Burrow hasn't fared particularly well over the first two weeks. The Rams on the other hand dispatched the Seahawks and were competititve through 4 quarters with the 49ers. Add to that Matthew Stafford has put up some solid numbers and the Bengals defense has allowed plenty of points through 2 games. If Burrow can't suit up (or exits early) then we get the Jake Browning experience which should be just fine.

I would make the Bengals -7.5 home favorites against the Rams in primetime if Joe Burrow is healthy. With a limited Joe Burrow, I would still make the line -5 against this version of the Rams. Cincinnati should have success with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd in this matchup. Burrow is clearly important, but there's some overreaction on both sides after the Bengals started 0-2 and the Rams played well against Seattle. It's also worth noting that Puka Nacua is dealing with an oblique injury ahead of this road game.

Kudos if you held onto Williams in some fantasy rookie dynasty draft from 2022 as he's now clearly the man in LA with Cam Akers gone. Williams has two TDs in each of the first two games -- and he'll get some targets as a pass-catcher -- so this seems like a very reasonable price.

McPherson is one of the top kickers in the league and he might be a key weapon once again for the Bengals on Monday night. The Rams have given up five made field goals thus far this season and also gave up multiple three-pointers in 10 games last year. Cincinnati's kicker was over this total in 11/19 games in 2022 and I'll say he kicks at least two successful tries on Monday night.

At the time I write this, I have no idea if Joe Burrow will suit up (leaning towards no) but even if he does, he's clearly not going to be close to 100%. Cincinnati will have to lean on Joe Mixon, who has fallen just short of this number in both of the Bengals' games thus far this season. Los Angeles has been gutted by zone runs thus far this season, to the tune of 6.9 yards per carry in two games, and half of the Bengals' run plays are of this same variety. This line feels at least 10 yards too low to me whether it's Burrow or Jake Browning under center.

If Joe Burrow sits, we get free points before the line moves. If he plays, we fade a banged-up Burrow who looked bad the first two weeks. Regardless, the Rams are feisty, winning by 17 in Seattle in Week 1 as they sit 2-0 ATS. Grab the points here.

Anyone looking to hop on this line before we have official word on Joe Burrow's status should back the Rams. Their offense has looked outstanding despite the loss of Cooper Kupp, with Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and even Kyren Williams doing a great job and Matthew Stafford pulling the strings. Williams in particular could play a big role this week after the Bengals defense has looked horrendous against the run in their first two games. Even if Burrow was 100%, Stafford has shown he can make a game competitive, and with Burrow far less than 100% if he plays, the ceiling on the Bengals offense comes down considerably. Get the +3 while you can, and if Burrow plays then double down with the bigger number.

I'd *prefer* to take the Rams catching more points with a not-so-healthy Joe Burrow on the field, but I'd be backing the Rams regardless and I'd rather catch some points here with my feeling that Burrow ultimately doesn't take the field with this lingering calf injury and a massive new contract. The Rams are a good football team and they'll be favored if Burrow is ruled out.