The Cincinnati Bengals may not be the best package the NFL can present to football fans across the pond, but Londoners will just have to content themselves watching Andy Dalton throw passes to an AJ Green-less receiving corps. That said, the Bengals will be up against the Los Angeles Rams (+1,600 to win Super Bowl 54), a team that remains among the best bets to win Super Bowl 54.
The Bengals continue to be bad in this thing called football. Cincinnati lost for the seventh-straight time to start the season, 27-17, to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7. Andy Dalton was ineffective, going 22 for 43 for 276 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. He had a rushing touchdown, but that was when the game was pretty much decided in favor of the Jags. The Bengals are going to need some drastic measures if they are to right their ship, but at this point, they’re probably thinking more of that high draft pick next year than making the playoffs that is now virtually out of their reach. One good takeaway for the Bengals from their loss to the Jaguars is the seeming emergence of another reliable receiver for the team. Wideout Alex Erickson led the Bengals with 137 receiving yards on eight catches and 14 targets. Without AJ Green and John Ross, the Bengals need every healthy body available to help Dalton in the passing game.
The Bengals are 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Los Angeles Rams (4-3)
Welcome to Hollywood, Jalen Ramsey! The former embattled Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback had a solid debut for the Rams in Week 7’s 37-10 destruction of the Atlanta Falcons on the road. Ramsey spent the entire night hounding Julio Jones and did an altogether nice job. He’ll have an easier time next Sunday against the Bengals’ anemic passing attack that’s missing its best piece. The Rams sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan five times. Dante Fowler Jr. had three sacks, while two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald had one QB takedown. Given how soft Dalton’s protection has been this season, expect Donald and company to feast on the Bengals’ offensive line. That pass rush and a secondary beefed up with the presence of Ramsey should cripple Cincinnati’s attack. The Rams are ninth in the NFL in total defense with 329.3 total yards allowed per game.
The Rams are 3-2 ATS in their last five home games.
