For most teams in the NFL the third preseason game is the dress rehearsal for the regular season. The starters generally play a full half to three quarters and then the rest of the preseason games are left to players trying to make the roster. Not so this year with the Rams. 
With all of the injuries that the Rams have suffered the third and fourth game will have more importance than years past. The Rams have had one good outing and one not so good outing this preseason. What will happen tonight against the Bengals? Here are the five things to be looking for.....
#1 Run Defense
After a horrible display last Friday night against the Falcons the Rams run defense simply has to be better. Granted Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard are not Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood but the Rams have to find a way to stop the running game of the Bengals. Even if the Bengals are not that great of a running team, the Rams have to show that they are going to be able to shut down some of the lesser teams from running the football.
#2 The Running Back Battle
Steven Jackson will probably get his most work of the preseason against the Bengals but the real intrigue of the game is going to come in the performances of Kenneth Darby, Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman. Is tonight the night that one of these guys solidifies his spot on the roster and claims their spot as the main backup to Jackson? As stated I in an article earlier in the week I would give Pittman a lot of carries against the Bengals and then evaluate everyone evenly.
#3 Tye Hill
The Rams can't feel comfortable about their cornerback position after another poor performance by Tye Hill against the Falcons. What will the Rams do about the situation and is Hill ever going to live up to his #1 draft pick status? The short term answer is the Rams coaching staff is going to have to gameplan their way out of having a weak cornerback position and they are going to have coach Hill up. We'll see how Hill plays against 
some of the tall Bengals receivers.
#4 Jason Smith
The Jason Smith project appears to be heading in the right direction. He played pretty well in his first game against the Jets and played pretty well in his first start against the Falcons but he has still not secured the starting job on opening day in Seattle. Smith has to continue to show improvement and he needs to make another step forward against the Bengals.
#5 Kyle Boller
While Boller was better against the Falcons on Friday he needs to show that he can drive the ball down the field and get touchdowns. Thus far he has not shown that in his time on the field. Being able to play a full half against a mediocre Bengals defense, that he knows well from his time in Baltimore, should give Boller every opportunity for success. If he doesn't I think this is a sign of concern for the Rams if Bulger is not ready to go at some point this year.
Steve Spagnuolo has said that the starters will play at least a half and might play into the third quarter. I am certain that he means all of his starters with the exception of Steven Jackson. Remember tonight's game is an early start in St. Louis with a 6:30 PM kickoff locally on KTVI.
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