When the Cincinnati Bengals host the St. Louis Rams tonight, it will be a battle of two backup quarterbacks, the Rams Kyle Boller and the Bengals Jordan Palmer, each who is expected to play the first half.

BetUs Sportsbook has Cincinnati a 2.5 point favorite, while Bet Online has the total at 34.

Although No. 1 Rams receiver Donnie Avery has returned to practice, he is not expected to play until the regular season.

Rams starting QB Marc Bulger is not expected to play. Kyle Boller will start. DE Leonard Little is questionable to doubtful with a sore right knee. DT Adam Carriker is doubtful.

Rams star running back Steven Jackson has just five carries in two preseason games. He won’t see much more than that tonight. Backup RB Kenneth Darby is doubtful.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer is being held out again. Brother Jordan Palmer, the third stringer, will continue to get the increased playing time. J.T. O’Sullivan gets the start. He’s completed 79.2 percent of his passes with two TDs and zero interceptions.

The Rams did spend most of Tuesday and Wednesday preparing for the Bengals.

Totals bettors, note that Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis has been working on a big play offense. It appears to be working as they have seven plays of 20 yards or more this preseason. By comparison, last year they had only 26 in the entire regular season.

Top expert pick on this game: America‘s greatest, GodsTips led by America‘s only Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy  just keeps winning and woo-hoo college football starts in a week! The NFL Specialists are 3-1 with preseason football Wise Guys and more are coming this weekend so get the four or five day pass at least. Get all three Thursday night NFL sides and now get three night moneyline MLB and a day runline. Click now to purchase