MATT STAFFORD had a below-average night (Rams photo).

Before Monday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams, the storyline was whether Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ quarterback, would be able to take the field.

By the time the game was over, Cincinnati had won 19-16 and the story line was why didn’t the Ram offense show up better.

LAR didn’t get its first and only touchdown of the game until the final three minutes and are now 1-2 in the young NFL season.

The Rams had two touchdowns called back in the first half but looked sluggish all night. Matthew Stafford passed for 269 yards and one touchdown but was sacked four times and intercepted twice. There was almost no running game for the visitors to take the heat off of Stafford.

Burrow threw for 259 yards and was intercepted once. Joe Mixon rushed for 65 yards and a TD for the winners.

The Rams will visit Indianapolis (2-1) next Sunday.

Angels in flag race, sort of … lose 5-1

With three teams battling for the American League West title, the fourth place Los Angeles Angels aren’t in the mix.

However, the team is involved as it opened a series on Monday at home hosting the first place Texas Rangers.

The Halos did their part in helping them remain in first by losing 5-1. It was their eighth loss in 10 games and are 70-86 as they begin the last week of their eighth consecutive losing season.

Logan O’Hoppe hit his 13th home of the season in the second for the team’s only run. It was his eighth of the month.