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We're back with our Monday Night Football matchups analysis article for the Rams vs. Bengals. Week 3 is just about in the books, and we'll get the final matchups of the week tonight. It's been a fun and crazy kickoff week of NFL and fantasy football action filled with big performances, new players emerging, and many injuries around the league. Hopefully, you're on the verge of winning your matchups (or already have).
Now, we get two more games on Monday night to finish it off. Below you will find our matchups analysis for the Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals. Hopefully, it will be an exciting game that adds to a week filled with plenty of booms, busts, and injuries.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 3 matchups. Good luck RotoBallers!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: Bengals -2.5
Implied Total: Rams (20.5) vs. Bengals (23)
Pace: Rams (18th) vs. Bengals (9th)
Rams Off. DVOA: 40.0% Pass (4th), -2.9% Rush (12th)
Bengals Off. DVOA: -19.9% Pass (27th), -12.8% Rush (19th)
Rams Def. DVOA: 23.3% Pass (22nd), 18.3% Rush (30th)
Bengals Def. DVOA: 29.0% Pass (25th), 13.8% Rush (28th)
Matchups We Love
Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell (WR, LAR)
When a player breaks the NFL record for most receptions in his first two games, he must be started in fantasy. I'm pretty sure that's a rule, and if it isn't, it should be. Matthew Stafford is locked in on Nacua. There's no reason to move off of him against the Bengals.
Tutu Atwell also warrants a spot in your lineup. Despite earning less than half the number of targets Nacua has, his 17 is still amazing. They're both worth going back to the well on.
Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)
The Rams shocked the world one more time by making Cam Akers inactive ahead of Sunday's game. They're completely committed to Williams, whose role is expected to generate the second-most fantasy points, trailing only Tony Pollard.
We've seen backs such as Todd Gurley thrive in the Sean McVay system, which is what appears to be going on here. Williams is locked in.
Other Matchups
Matthew Stafford (WR, LAR)
The man tossing the pigskin to these fine players is Stafford, who is playing outrageously well. He's also due for some touchdown regression. He has the second-most passing attempts (93), but only one touchdown on the year.
The Rams have scored five times, but only once through the air. That'll surely shift, and it could be as soon as this week. He's in the streaming category.
Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR)
Higbee's been the odd man out with Nucua and Atwell dominating the target share. The passing volume has been high enough to sustain a third option and could be again, so he's still a viable option at such a desolate position against the team allowing the fourth-most points to the position.
Joe Burrow (QB, CIN)
Burrow is listed as questionable for Monday's game. Zac Taylor doesn't seem confident and neither am I.
It's at this point that the breakdown becomes murky. Burrow finally seemed to find his groove late in their loss to the Ravens, only to re-aggravate his calf injury. It's terrifying for both his short-term and long-term outlook.
The reports are unclear as to whether he'll suit up on Monday, which is poor timing for making fantasy decisions. If even he guts it out, he's not a must-start with the mobility limitations he'll have.
Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins (WR, CIN)
Burrow is listed as questionable for Monday's game. You may need to fade these two if you have other top-24 receivers.
Obviously, his injury would also impact Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Higgins was the beneficiary of those two scoring drives Burrow led while Chase continued to underdeliver.
They're in the top 20 if Burrow's active because we know what they can do, but if he misses, they're outside the top 24 with a risky fantasy outlook catching passes from Jake Browning. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Much like White, Mixon has a tendency to be inefficient with his touches. His usage is also similar, making it hard to move off of him regardless of the matchup or circumstances.
The Rams have been beaten on the ground, although some of that has to do with facing Christian McCaffrey. Mixon's workload keeps him in the top 24, but his ceiling drops if Burrow is out.
Notable Injuries
Cooper Kupp (hamstring) - Out
Puka Nucua (oblique) - Questionable
Joe Burrow (calf) - Questionable
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