The Rams and Bengals will square off in their first meeting since Super Bowl LVI on Monday night, a pivotal game for both teams. The Rams are trying to push above .500 and surprise a lot of people by going 2-1 against the Seahawks, 49ers and Bengals, while Cincinnati is trying to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start.
It’s possible the Rams will be without Joe Burrow on Monday night, which would be a huge blow to their chances of winning, while the Rams are still without Cooper Kupp.
Buy Rams TicketsHere’s a look at six key stats and facts to know for this Week 3 matchup in Cincinnati.
Rams are 7-8 all-time vs. Bengals
This will only be the 16th meeting all-time between the Rams and Bengals, with the most recent coming in Super Bowl LVI. The Rams have won the last two matchups with the Bengals but had previously lost three straight.
Since Sean McVay took over in 2017, the Rams are 2-0 against Cincinnati, outscoring the Bengals 47-30 in those two games.
Bengals have fewest total yards in NFL
No one would have guessed the Joe Burrow-led Bengals would have the fewest yards in the NFL through two weeks, but that’s where we are. Cincinnati has just 424 total yards, which is just over half of what the Rams have (812).
The Rams are on the opposite end of the league, ranking second in total offense. The Bengals are obviously better than their last-place ranking indicates, but it’s been a rough go on offense for Cincinnati thus far.
Rams and Bengals both among worst run defenses
The Rams and Bengals have both struggled to stop the run this season. The Bengals rank 29th in yards per carry allowed (5.0) and the Rams are even further behind, sitting 31st with an average of 5.3 yards per carry allowed.
Neither team has run the ball very well, either. The Rams are 28th in yards per carry (2.9) and the Bengals are 18th (4.0), but have the fifth-fewest rushing yards (141) overall.
Rams rank 2nd in third-down offense and defense
The Rams have been excellent on third down so far this season, on offense and defense. offensively, they’re converting 58.1% of the time, which ranks second in the NFL. Defensively, opponents have only converted 22.2% of the time on third down, also ranking second.
For comparison, the Bengals are 14th and 26th on third down offensively and defensively. This is one area the Rams must take advantage of to sustain drives and keep the ball out of Cincinnati’s hands.
Bengals have 4th-lowest pressure rate in the league
The Bengals haven’t had much success pressuring opposing quarterbacks this season. According to Pro Football Reference, the Bengals’ pressure rate of 13.5% is the fourth-lowest in the NFL. The Rams are generating pressure at nearly twice that rate, coming in at 25.5% through two games so far. Los Angeles’ offensive line has played well up to this point and that should continue against the Bengals on Monday night.
Joe Burrow has been hit 2nd-most times in NFL
Burrow has taken a beating since he came into the NFL and not much has changed this season. Though he’s only been sacked three times, he’s taken 11 hits this year, which is tied for the second-most of any quarterback. Only Kirk Cousins (13) has been hit more than Burrow.
Compare that to Matthew Stafford, who’s only been hit four times in two games, and it’s easy to see which quarterback has been under more duress this year.
