In a closely contested Monday Night Football matchup, the Cincinnati Bengals emerged victorious with a 19-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Despite Joe Burrow playing through a right calf strain, the Bengals’ defense, led by Logan Wilson’s two interceptions and six sacks, proved to be the difference-maker.
Burrow showed resilience by completing 26 of 49 passes for 259 yards, while his star receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, had an impressive 12 catches for 141 yards. On the Rams’ side, Matthew Stafford faced a tough Bengals defense and completed 18 of 33 passes for 269 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions.
The game began with excitement as Tutu Atwell appeared to score a touchdown for the Rams on a 24-yard run. However, replay review revealed that Atwell had stepped out of bounds at the 2-yard line. The Rams settled for a field goal from Brett Maher, setting the tone for a defensive battle.
Cincinnati responded with a field goal from Evan McPherson, tying the game at 3-3. Both teams traded field goals in the second quarter, with McPherson’s 53-yarder at the end of the half sending the game into halftime tied at 6-6.
The third quarter saw Maher kicking another field goal for the Rams, but the Bengals managed the game’s first touchdown drive. Joe Mixon’s 14-yard rushing touchdown gave Cincinnati a 13-9 lead with 5:34 left in the third quarter.
McPherson added two more field goals in the final quarter, extending the Bengals’ lead to 10 points. However, the Rams fought back, with Stafford finding Atwell for a 1-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining. The Rams attempted an onside kick, but the Bengals recovered, securing the 19-16 victory.
The game showcased a strong defensive performance from both teams, with Logan Wilson’s interceptions and Cincinnati’s six sacks making a significant impact. Despite Burrow’s injury, the Bengals held on for their first win of the season, improving to 1-2, while the Rams dropped to 1-2 in a tightly contested matchup.
