Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals When the Cincinnati Bengals face-off with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night in this week 3 NFL preseason match-up it will not be what either set of coaching staffs had hoped for.

Week 3 is usually the most crucial game for NFL coaches to be evaluating their starters. Most would like to see their first-team square off against the opposition's best. However, the Bengals will be without quarterback Carson Palmer while he rests a high ankle sprain.

With Palmer out, NFL odds makers have the Bengals at -2.5 with the total in the game sitting at 34.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the most difficult teams to read over the last few years. It's is clear that with Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco on offense that have the talent to be very dangerous. But it seems like the Bengals have not been healthy
in what seems like forever.

J.T. O'Sullivan will get the start on Thursday night.

NFL analysts and fans have been all over the place when picking Cincinnati's possibility for success. Prognosticators have had their 2009 season to be anywhere from 4-12 to 10-6. They just seem nearly impossible to read.

As for the Rams, they should be a whole lot better on defense in 2009 with Steve Spagnuolo running the show in St. Louis.

On offense they will be without their starting quarterback as well. Marc Bulger broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand during practice and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. Kyle Boller will be the starter on Thursday night. Boller is a capable back-up, if they can protect him he should have some success.

The the battle of the back-ups, I like Boller over O'Sullivan. Take the Rams getting the 2.5 points.