NFL Week 3 Game Recap: Cincinnati Bengals 19, Los Angeles Rams 16

The Cincinnati Bengals overcame a clearly hobbled Joe Burrow at quarterback and won a close-fought battle against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, with Cincinnati’s defensive line tormenting Matthew Stafford and the Rams' offensive line like many expected the San Francisco 49ers to do in Week 2. 

The Super Bowl 56 rematch goes the other way this time, with the Bengals exacting their revenge on the Rams and winning by the same field-goal margin. 

Offensive spotlight: Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell caught a 37-yard reception early. He then went fairly quiet but got wide open in the left side of the end zone for the Rams’ sole touchdown of the evening. Tight end Tyler Higbee added five receptions for 71 yards, with a contested catch and three explosive receptions. 

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a dozen receptions as Joe Burrow looked to get the ball out as fast as possible all night long, frequently throwing the ball in the dirt at the first sign of pressure. Chase went for 141 yards and picked up seven first downs, with two missed tackles forced on his receptions. 

Defensive spotlight: Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon produced one of the defensive highlights of the young NFL season, snatching an interception out of Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd’s hands as he dove over his shoulder. The Rams held the Bengals to just five conversions from 17 third-down snaps, but ultimately, the offense could only muster 16 points as Matthew Stafford was under siege. 

The Bengals defense won this football game, with six sacks and two interceptions of Matthew Stafford. Five different players got in on the sack party, including defensive back Dax Hill and two from edge defender Trey Hendrickson. Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson showed he was worth every last dollar of the extension he signed before the season, making two nice interceptions, including a play near the turf that was too close to overturn. 

Rookie spotlight: Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua continues to produce at a consistent level, but he set such a high bar for himself coming into Week 3 that a five-catch, 72-yard outing, which included a 37-yard deep ball that set up the team’s lone touchdown, felt underwhelming. Nacua forced a missed tackle in space and hauled in a contested catch, showing he’s not just finding soft spots in zones and winning that way. 

Bengals rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones isn’t quite the offensive factor Nacua is, but he was once again a difference-maker as a punt returner, with a 19-yard return midway through the fourth quarter that set Cincinnati up with a first-and-10 from the Rams' 40-yard line. Cincinnati could only gain five yards on the drive but would go on to kick a field goal and increase their lead to 19-9, holding on without scoring again.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving