Preseason Betting Preview: Rams at Bengals
Two teams that spilt their first two preseason games square off at Paul Brown Stadium tonight at 7:30PM ET, as the Cincinnati Bengals host the St. Louis Rams.
The last time these two teams met was back in December of 2007, when the Bengals hosted and beat the Rams 19-10, but failed to cover the 10-point spread. Before that, you’d have to go back to 2003 to the last time these two teams played, as St. Louis thumped Cincinnati 27-10 at home.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Bengals 2.5-point home favorites over the Rams. Oddsmakers have also established the over/under total for this game as 34.
While looking at the trends for this betting matchup, the Rams are just 1-9 against the spread coming off a home loss (they were defeated by the Atlanta Falcons at the Edward Jones Dome last Friday), while Cincinnati is 16-8 over as a favorite.
When handicapping this contest, keep in mind that starters usually play the entire first half of the third preseason game, if not into the third quarter. While both teams aren’t expected to be very good, that would seem to favor the Bengals in this matchup, although quarterback Carson Palmer is not expected to play.
The key might be Rams’ backup quarterback Kyle Boller, who will start again tonight with starter Marc Bulger nursing a hand injury. Considering Boller is very familiar with the Bengals from his playing days in Baltimore, we urge taking a shot on St. Louis +2.5 in this contest. (The Rams should also be aided by playing running back Steven Jackson for most of the first half.)
NFL Preseason Week 3: Rams at Bengals
St. Louis Rams +2.5 Over 34
Cincinnati Bengals –2.5 Under 34