MNF betting storylines: Clash of undefeated teams, uncertainty at QB

We've got another doubleheader on Monday Night Football with the Eagles and Buccaneers overlapping the Bengals and Rams.

As always, for a more traditional breakdown and best bets, betting analyst Matt Russell has you covered. Here, we'll break down some storylines and specials theScore Bet is offering.

Battle of undefeated teams

The Eagles and Buccaneers are both 2-0 headed into their Monday Night Football contest. Although the NFC squads are off to hot starts, each team's frame of mind is in a different spot.

The Bucs entered the season projected to be one of the worst teams in the league, but wins over the Vikings and Bears have them as an early surprise.

The Eagles, on the other hand, were expected to be 2-0 as the favorite in the NFC, but their wins haven't been pretty. The standard, especially offensively, hasn't lived up to what many around the league expected from Philadelphia after last season's Super Bowl appearance.

Everyone should remember it's early, and both of these teams could go in a completely different direction than what their early season success indicates. The only thing we know is that one of these teams is adding to the win column while the other suffers its first loss.

The Eagles are five-point road favorites with the total set at 44.5.

While Philadelphia's passing attack has struggled, the Eagles' run game has been effective. Behind a dominant offensive line, the team is averaging the second-most rushing yards per game.

D'Andre Swift is the lead back, but Kenneth Gainwell is expected to return from injury to join Swift in the backfield.

Baker Mayfield's attempt to revive his career in Tampa Bay is off to an encouraging start. He's thrown for just under 500 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no picks through two games.

Monday night's matchup isn't expected to be a pass-heavy affair, but theScore Bet is offering many specials to bet on Mayfield and Jalen Hurts' performances.

Mayfield and Hurts to record over 274.5 passing yards is +900 (bet $10 to win $90). Hurts has yet to break 200 passing yards this season. For them to each throw over 1.5 passing touchdowns is +300.

If you like the Bucs to win outright as a home underdog and think Mayfield will carry them there, Tampa Bay to win and Mayfield to throw over 1.5 passing yards is +375.

Eagles receiver A.J. Brown and Bucs receiver Chris Godwin - each the quarterback's top target - have yet to find the end zone this season. For them to both score a touchdown is +725.

Burrow or No Burrow?

There's one main storyline for the Bengals and Rams' prime-time showdown: Will Joe Burrow play?

His status is currently uncertain due to a calf injury that's bothered him the first two weeks. The market's line reflects Burrow's questionable status, as the Bengals are only 2.5-point favorites against the Rams.

Recent reports suggest there's "optimism" he will play, but no decision has been made. Burrow's injury has obviously limited him, which in turn has hurt his team.

The Bengals are a surprising 0-2 and, with or without Burrow, are in a must-win situation. Dropping to 0-3 with an injured Burrow is much different than when the Bengals started 1-2 last season. Since 1979, just six teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3.

If Burrow can't go, rookie Jake Browning will assume starting responsibilities against a feisty and well-coached Rams squad. Los Angeles started with an impressive win over the Seahawks and a narrow loss to the 49ers, proving its roster is good enough to at least compete for a playoff spot.

At 1-1, the Rams aren't as desperate as the Bengals. TheScore isn't offering any Burrow specials at the moment because of his uncertain status, but if you want to back the Rams as an underdog, Los Angeles to win and Matt Stafford to throw over 1.5 passing touchdowns is +220.

In the absence of Cooper Kupp, rookie receiver Puka Nacua has emerged with two monster 100-plus yard games to open the season. Entering Week 2, Nacua led the league in targets and receptions.

A bet on Nacua and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase to record over 99.5 receiving yards is +950. Chase has been limited to a total of 70 yards on the season. If it's Browning and not Burrow slinging it Monday night, receiving yards may even be harder for Chase to come by.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.

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