If this matchup sounds familiar, that’s because it is. It’s been less than two years since the Rams outlasted the Bengals to win Super Bowl 56, winning after a go-ahead touchdown by Cooper Kupp.
Kupp won’t be out there for the Rams on Monday night in Cincinnati, but the Rams have found an unlikely option to soak up his targets: Fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua.
Nacua entered Week 3 second in the NFL in receiving yards, after hauling in a whopping 25 receptions between his first two games. Matthew Stafford, who has enjoyed a resurgent start to the year after missing a portion of 2022, clearly feels comfortable throwing Nacua’s way, and it’s translated to some surprise success for the Rams. Can they keep the momentum going in prime time?
The Bengals are off to a profoundly disappointing start at 0-2, and the bigger concern might be the health of Joe Burrow. Burrow hasn’t looked the same since missing most of training camp with a calf injury, and his status for Monday’s game was still uncertain heading into gameday.
The Bengals started 0-2 last season, so it’s certainly not time to panic, but an 0-3 start would be tough for Zac Taylor’s team to recover from.
MORE: Watch Rams vs. Bengals live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Monday night’s game between the Rams and Bengals. Follow along below with all of the key moments.
Rams vs. Bengals score
1
2
3
4
F
Rams
3
3
3
–
–
Bengals
0
6
10
–
–
Rams vs. Bengals live updates, highlights from ‘Monday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
10:50 p.m. — Mixon gets through the pack for the first down. Big-time play by the veteran running back.
10:49 p.m. — The Bengals will go for it on 4th & 1… The pressure seems to be on the Rams to get this stop.
10:48 p.m. — The Bengals are into Rams territory after Burrow hits Boyd up the middle. Cincinnati has a chance to make this a two-possession game with a field goal or more.
10:44 p.m. — Higgins is back after being treated for cramps.
End of third quarter: Bengals 16, Rams 9
10:39 p.m. — A facemask penalty negates a Rams first down and results in a 3rd & 16. Brutal swing. Los Angeles doesn’t even try and take a downfield shot, so a punt is coming up.
10:37 p.m. — Tee Higgins is headed back to the locker room. Not clear when he was injured, but he’s had a rough night overall.
Bengals 16, Rams 9
10:32 p.m. FIELD GOAL — McPherson’s kick doinks in! The Bengals get three points off of the Stafford interception and lead by a touchdown.
Evan McPherson doinked it through
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/mme0FJnjfV
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
10:31 p.m. — Tee Higgins with another drop… He’s caught only two of eight targets tonight.
10:29 p.m. — The Burrow-to-Chase connection is rapidly heating up. Burrow hits his top target for 43 yards, bringing Chase up to 132 yards on 10 catches.
Fake toss + Burrow to Chase for 43!
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/Bcttp6SlCf
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
10:23 p.m. INTERCEPTION — The turnovers are hurting Stafford again. He’s intercepted by Logan Wilson for the second time tonight and instantly ends a great chance for the Rams to re-take the lead.
Logan Wilson has his 2nd interception!
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/gNEn3PIfVB
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
10:22 p.m. — Now these offenses are taking chances! Stafford hits Van Jefferson downfield to put the Rams right into Bengals territory.
Bengals 13, Rams 9
10:18 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Bengals find the end zone first! Joe Mixon runs it in from 14 yards and puts Cincinnati on top. That was easily the smoothest drive of the night for Burrow and the Bengals.
.@Joe_MainMixon makes a cut and we’ve got a TD in Cincy 🙌 #RuleTheJungle
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/2Tq12B66PD
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
10:16 p.m. — Chase is such a difference-maker. He reaches behind himself to grab a pass from Burrow to keep the drive alive and move the Bengals into field goal range.
10:13 p.m. — Another big play by Chase to take the Bengals into Rams territory. Even with all of Cincinnati’s offensive struggles, Chase is up to 72 yards.
Rams 9, Bengals 6
10:09 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Maher drills it. This game feels like it’ll be decided by whichever team is finally able to finish off a drive.
10:08 p.m. — This time, Hendrickson’s sack counts. Stafford goes down, and the field goal try becomes a little bit tougher for Maher.
10:07 p.m. — Higbee grabs what appears to be a wide-open touchdown, but the Bengals called a last-second timeout. That might save them at least four points.
10:05 p.m. — A bobbled ball by Williams nearly gets intercepted. Here comes a huge third down for the Rams.
10:03 p.m. — A Trey Hendrickson sack is negated by a Sam Hubbard facemask penalty. That’s a big swing.
10:00 p.m. — Kyren Williams with a great catch-and-run to take the Rams into Bengals territory after a big gain by Tyler Higbee. The Rams look much more comfortable offensively than they did on those last few drives of the first half.
End of first half: Rams 6, Bengals 6
9:45 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Bengals settle for the field goal and get it. McPherson ties the game at six entering halftime. Still looking for our first touchdown…
9:44 p.m. — Burrow takes a sack. That’s what can’t happen in that spot, and it’s Aaron Donald in there again.
9:41 p.m. — Burrow hits Tanner Hudson to get the Bengals well into Rams territory. Cincinnati can try for a touchdown on this drive.
9:39 p.m. — The Bengals will get the ball back with more than a minute remaining in the half. Early on, the Rams were outplaying the Bengals offensively but just couldn’t finish drives. Now, Cincinnati’s defense is dominating.
9:37 p.m. — Dax Hill comes in and sacks Stafford! The second-year safety has made some big plays tonight. It’ll be 3rd & Long for the Rams.
DAX HILL 🔨
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/QjTQGdT271
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
9:34 p.m. — The Rams have a long way to go to even get into field goal range before halftime, but Kyren Williams gets them off to a nice start with a 9-yard run.
9:33 p.m. — The Bengals are forced to punt again. Burrow is 15-of-27 for just 109 yards and a 65.2 passer rating.
9:30 p.m. — Tee Higgins nearly catches a pass right near the end zone, but officials believe he pushed off. These mistakes are hurting the Bengals.
9:29 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Wilson’s pick is confirmed. It’s Bengals ball.
Logan Wilson picks off Stafford!
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/0V3i4rKGVC
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
9:26 p.m. — Logan Wilson believes he has an interception of Stafford… replay may show the ball hit the ground. To be determined.
9:24 p.m. — The execution is abysmal from these teams right now. Tee Higgins drops a pass he should’ve had, and a downfield pass to Chase falls incomplete on third down. The Rams are getting the ball back with 3:43 remaining in the half.
9:20 p.m. — Dax Hill blows up the Rams’ drive by dropping Kyren Williams for a loss. A third down catch by Higbee isn’t enough to extend the series.
9:14 p.m. — The Bengals punt as boos come over Paycor Stadium. The crowd is frustrated with this offense, and it should be.
9:13 p.m. — There’s Aaron Donald! The three-time DPOY sacks Burrow to make it 3rd & long for Cincinnati.
Hello Joe, I’m Aaron. #RamsHouse
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/Phy6xVl0cy
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
9:11 p.m. — Big-time third down conversion by Ja’Marr Chase, who goes for 11 yards to prevent a three-and-out.
Rams 6, Bengals 3
9:07 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Rams still cannot finish a drive. They settle for another short-range field goal from Maher and re-take a small lead.
9:04 p.m. — A 37-yard reception by Tutu Atwell takes the Rams well into the red zone. Really impressive route from a player who’s been a breakout star early this season.
9:03 p.m. — The Rams are quickly over midfield after catches by Nacua and Higbee. No team has finished a drive yet. Can the Rams take advantage here?
Rams 3, Bengals 3
8:58 p.m. FIELD GOAL— Another false start sets the Bengals back, but McPherson drills this field goal try from just inside 50 yards. We’re all tied up.
8:55 p.m. — Everything has slowed down for the Bengals, but a holding penalty against the Rams gives them a first down. Cincinnati should be able to come away from this drive with at least a field goal.
End of first quarter: Rams 3, Bengals 0
8:49 p.m. — Nice job by Mixon to break a tackle and get the Bengals another first down. Cincinnati is inching into field goal range as the first quarter ends.
8:46 p.m. — Burrow’s pass is tipped and wobbles around, but it lands in Ja’Marr Chase’s hands for a first down. The Bengals could use a break like that.
8:43 p.m. — The defenses are starting to take control. Cincinnati forces a three-and-out of its own, though Nacua picks up another catch that will make fantasy owners happy.
Puka with the one-handed snag 👋
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/RaAH6gnYDK
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
8:38 p.m. — Back-to-back false starts turn 3rd & 1 into 3rd & 11 for the Bengals. Some audible boos from the Paycor Stadium crowd as the drive comes to a quick end.
Rams 3, Bengals 0
8:32 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The drive stalls at the 11-yard line, but Brett Maher puts the first points of the game on the board with a 30-yard field goal. Rams lead, 3-0.
8:31 p.m. — No touchdown. The Rams will try to regain the momentum they built leading up to that play.
8:26 p.m. — That was quick! Tutu Atwell goes in for the score… for now. The play will be reviewed.
Tutu was so close to scoring here…
📺: #LARvsCIN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/q6w0XKuBID
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
8:25 p.m. — There’s catch No. 1 for Puka Nacua, who has the Rams down near the edge of the red zone. Nice tight throw by Stafford.
8:24 p.m. — The Rams start with solid field position and quickly get over midfield on a first down catch by Tyler Higbee.
8:20 p.m. — A catch by Charlie Moves moves the Bengals closer, but the drive fizzles out and ends with a missed 56-yard field goal attempt from Evan McPherson.
8:17 p.m. — Two early catches for Tyler Boyd to take the Bengals past midfield. Burrow looks comfortable enough so far.
8:16 p.m. — Burrow and the Bengals will start with the ball. We are underway!
8:14 p.m. — Pretty cool uniform matchup, with the Bengals in their all-whites and the Rams in all-blue.
8:03 p.m. — Chad Johnson is on hand, repping Ja’Marr Chase.
Two of the best. @ochocinco x @Real10jayy__ pic.twitter.com/46IpUiKAFU
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 25, 2023
7:49 p.m. — For the Rams, the eyes of many fantasy managers are on rookie WR Puka Nacua. The fifth-rounder has been targeted persistently by Matthew Stafford, and he’s set to play tonight despite being listed as questionable.
7:43 p.m. — Weather has been a problem for much of the country over the last few days, but not tonight in Cincinnati, where it’s 72 degrees and clear.
7:40 p.m. — The last play between these two teams, aside from a kneeldown, was Joe Burrow’s fourth-down incompletion to end Super Bowl 56. Aaron Donald brought the pressure on that play. While winning tonight wouldn’t make up for that loss, Burrow would certainly like to exorcise those demons.
7:10 p.m. — Joe Burrow is officially active, after a report that he was planning to play at less than 100 percent. He will give it a go.
Joe Burrow is officially active. https://t.co/2uHcjz4Xaj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2023
4:45 p.m. — As it turns out, game-time decision really means game-time decision. Bengals coach Zac Taylor still isn’t ready to reveal Burrow’s status for tonight.
Just spoke to @Bengals HC Zac Taylor and asked about the status of QB Joe Burrow tonight. He said “we aren’t ready to reveal a decision just yet and will wait a couple more hours before we make a call” #mnf @ESPNNFL
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) September 25, 2023
4:30 p.m. — The Bengals elevated QB Reid Sinnett from the practice squad, adding some insurance in case Joe Burrow can’t play tonight. Burrow’s status remains up in the air.
With Joe Burrow’s status in some doubt (though there is optimism he goes), the #Bengals elevated QB Reid Sinnett and TE Tanner Hudson from the practice squad to the active roster.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2023
Rams vs. Bengals start time
Date: Monday, Sept. 25
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Monday’s game between the Rams and Bengals is part of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader, but it will kick off at the traditional start time of 8:15 p.m. ET.
The Eagles and Buccaneers have the early start at 7:15 p.m. ET on ABC.
MORE: What to know about breakout Rams WR Puka Nacua
What channel is Rams vs. Bengals on today?
Game: Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Monday, Sept. 25
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN+, NFL+, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
Monday’s game between the Rams and Bengals will be broadcast on ESPN. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and color analysts Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky will be on the call from Cincinnati for the Super Bowl 56 rematch. ABC will broadcast Eagles vs. Buccaneers.
There will be no “ManningCast” this week, but the brothers will return in Week 4 for Seahawks vs. Giants.