The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will meet for the first time since Super Bowl 56 when the defending champion Rams visit Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati for their final preseason tuneup.
After playing for the Lombardi Trophy in February, this matchup is about as low stakes as it gets. Both teams have held out the majority of their starters throughout the preseason, and that shouldn’t change much in this one.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (appendectomy) missed time earlier in the summer and Rams signal-caller Matthew Stafford (elbow tendinitis) has been limited in practice. Both players won’t be risked here, nor will many of their top playmakers.
Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp has yet to see any preseason action, nor has Cincinnati’s dynamic trio of Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Expect these teams to continue to run out their backups as they prepare to trim their rosters down to 53 by the Aug. 30 deadline.
Read on for our Los Angeles vs Cincinnati best bets and betting picks.
Rams vs Bengals Odds
According to our NFL odds, the Bengals have been installed as slight home favorites. The Over/Under is set at a modest total of 37.5 points.
With most of the starters expected to sit out once again, this makes a lot of sense.
Rams vs Bengals Implied Score
Bengals 20, Rams 17.5
Bookmakers are giving the Bengals a slight edge in this one, despite their winless record in the preseason thus far. Both teams are expected to find the end zone twice, but further scoring should be hard to come by.
Rams vs Bengals Pick of the Day
Read more on this Rams vs Bengals bet below.
Rams vs Bengals Matchup
Second-year quarterback Bryce Perkins has handled the majority of the preseason snaps for Los Angeles. He played the full game in the Rams’ 29-22 victory over the Chargers in Week 1, throwing for 133 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush).
Perkins was impressive again in a Week 2 loss to the Texans, completing 11-of-13 passes for 123 yards in second-half action after relieving backup (and starter on the night) John Wolford. The University of Virginia product has built an impressive rapport with rookie wideout Lance McCutcheon, which should continue to blossom in this game.
On the Bengals side, backup quarterback Brandon Allen will likely draw the start, but Jake Browning should continue to see the majority of the snaps under center. Cincinnati’s game plan has been surprisingly run heavy throughout the preseason despite minimal success, which means head coach Zac Taylor is either trying to develop the ground game or speed up these meaningless exhibitions.
Rams vs Bengals Prediction
Rams 23, Bengals 17
Don’t get it twisted, there is no revenge factor here.
Sure, Zac Taylor would probably like to see his guys close the exhibition season with a win, but he’ll be more focused on keeping them healthy for Week 1.
Sean McVay will certainly will be thinking along the same lines, but I like what I’ve seen from the Rams’ reserves. Perkins has shown some quality in the preseason and he’ll get to face a Cincinnati defense that has allowed a lot of points (61) and yards (723) over two games.
With a chance to oust Wolford for the backup quarterback job, expect Perkins and the Rams to put in another strong performance here.
Rams vs Bengals Bet Tips
The Bengals have lost four straight preseason games and seven of their last nine. The Over has hit in all four of the exhibition games that these teams have been involved in this year.
Rams vs Bengals Best Bets
Rams Moneyline (+115) at Caesars Sportsbook
The Rams have gotten the better quarterback play from their backups so far this season and I expect that to continue into Saturday night’s exhibition finale.
Back the Super Bowl champs with your NFL pick of the day.
Over 37.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
It’s hard to ignore the Bengals’ two previous performances, especially on the defensive end. Surrendering 200+ passing yards and two late touchdowns to Giants third-string quarterback Davis Webb is not a great sign for the backups on this unit.
Look for Perkins and Co. to take advantage. Also, Cincinnati has scored 20+ points in each of their two games, so they should contribute as well here.
