The Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2 in the 2023 season and things could be getting worse after Joe Burrow aggravated his calf injury in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cincy has an extra day off before it takes on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 3, but oddsmakers appear to be bracing for Burrow to miss the game.
After opening as 6.5-point favorites, the Bengals are now favored by just two points against the Rams. That’s a huge line move, which signals that Burrow is at least questionable for this contest.
There has been a MASSIVE line shift in the Bengals vs Rams matchup 👀
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) September 18, 2023
The Bengals are now -2 vs the Rams (+115) in week 3.
This is the result of Joe Burrow re-aggrevating his calf injury vs the Ravens yesterday.
Cincinnati opened as -6.5 favs vs the Rams over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/YtXxBJkln7
The Rams are 1-1 on the season, but they’ve covered the spread in both of their games. They were underdogs and won outright against Seattle in Week 1 before kicking a field goal as time expired to cover the spread against San Francisco in Week 2.
If Burrow sits, this Super Bowl 56 rematch will certainly lose a lot of its luster. Plus, the Bengals may end up finding themselves as underdogs if they’re forced to start backup Jake Browning.
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Rams vs. Bengals odds, spread and total
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter called into question Burrow’s chances of playing in Week 3, which would explain why oddsmakers have adjusted the line in this game.
"Joe Burrow tweaked his calf yesterday and he obviously hasn't looked right these first two weeks..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 18, 2023
I think it's fair to wonder if he's gonna be ready to go on Monday night against the Rams"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/nTN8wkNViX
There is still plenty of time for Burrow to get into a place where he feels he can play, but if he doesn’t the Bengals will have very little experience at quarterback.
Browning, who went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, played in his first career NFL game in Week 1, attempting one pass after Burrow was taken out with the Bengals trailing big.
While he was a solid quarterback at the University of Washington, Browning is still a major drop off from Burrow in this matchup.
For now, bettors may have to take a wait-and-see approach on this game, unless they really believe Burrow will play.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's betting record here.