Two weeks ago the Cincinnati Bengals were undefeated and looked like they would be unchallenged in the AFC North, but back-to-back losses has cut their lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers to just two games. While avoiding a third straight loss is a must, the St. Louis Rams desperately need to avoid a third consecutive loss to cling to postseason hopes that are waning.
Rams vs. Bengals 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Rams will rely on Nick Foles to end a three-game losing streak against the Bengals, who are looking to avoid a three-game slide of their own.
At the beginning of November, the Rams were 4-3 and in prime position to have a solid hold on an NFC Wild Card spot. But thanks to a similar slide by the Atlanta Falcons, hopes at staying in contention aren't dead. A loss to the Bengals would all but kill those hopes, though.
Leading the way for the Rams will be Nick Foles, who was benched in favor of Case Keenum in Week 11. On the final drive of a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Keenum was slammed to the turf, but inexplicably stayed in for the remainder of the game despite being visibly concussed. With Keenum still going through the NFL's concussion protocol, the Rams will have to rely on Foles to return to the starting lineup.
The best hope for the Rams to find offensive rhythm against the Bengals is to lean heavily on Todd Gurley to carry the team. While the Bengals are No. 13 in rushing yards allowed, no team has faced fewer rush attempts and Cincinnati is actually No. 27 in opposing rush yards per attempt.
After a huge start to the year, Gurley has managed just 200 yards in the last three weeks on 61 attempts, bringing his once-unprecedented rookie campaign back down to Earth. Still, the Rams are the worst in the NFL at passing the ball, so Gurley will likely get plenty of opportunity against the Bengals, who will likely stack the box to stop the rookie.
One thing that the Rams do well is slow down opposing passers, so Andy Dalton's return to form could be tough to find against St. Louis. Only the Denver Broncos have allowed fewer touchdown passes than the Rams, who have a dangerous pass rush led by Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn.
In the 8-0 start for the Bengals, Dalton had a 111.0 passer rating with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. But in each of the last two games, Dalton has completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes with just two touchdowns and an interception for a pedestrian 80.7 rating.
The key for the Bengals will be to keep things efficient and simple against a Rams defense that forces turnovers and not many big plays or first downs.
In the lengthy history of both franchises, Sunday will be only the 13th time the two teams have met and just the sixth time since the Rams left Los Angeles. The Bengals won each of the last two meetings, so the last time the Rams won was 12 years ago when Marc Bulger, Marshall Faulk and Torry Holt led the team to a 27-10 win to improve to 12-3. The Rams haven't had a winning since that year.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: FOX
Commentators: Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa
Online: NFL Game Pass
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