Rams vs. Bengals Super Bowl LVI Opening Odds Analysis (Archive)
The Super Bowl is set for February 13. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Los Angeles Rams, in Los Angeles, for a chance to win Super Bowl LVI.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, February 13, 2022 – 06:30 PM EST at SoFi Stadium
Betting Preview
At first thought, the quarterback matchup is intriguing. We’ve got two likable guys that will play their first Super Bowls ever. Of course, Matthew Stafford has played a whole lot more in the league, but overall, both are extremely deserving of being here.
The Bengals have struggled on the offensive line, however, and Joe Burrow having to escape the Los Angeles Rams in the pass rush is daunting. Overall, it’s no surprise here. The Rams are the better team and are favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles went out and traded for Matthew Stafford and then found a way to get Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. before the trade deadline concluded. Basically, the Rams won’t have many high-draft picks for years, but that won’t matter if the Rams end up winning a Super Bowl.
Betting Analysis
When Joe Burrow is sacked a handful of times, nobody will be shocked. The Rams defense has stepped up big this season. The defense has one blemish of a second half against the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round, but essentially, it was due to the Rams giving up the ball to the Buccaneers. The Rams’ defense was fatigued and tired but eventually, everything worked out.
However, the Bengals' defense has looked extremely good late in the season. Cincinnati has two terrific edge rushers and they were able to get pressure on Patrick Mahomes enough to create turnovers and sacks.
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The defense ultimately stepped up after stopping the Chiefs on the goal-line and that might not change either going into this game. The Bengals can really play defense this season.
Alright, now it’s time to break down the NFL odds and analyze what to do.
Rams -4
The Rams already opened as a -3.5 point favorite and have jumped up to a -4 point favorite. This makes sense knowing that the Bengals will struggle against the Rams and their front seven.
Ultimately, the Rams are built to win now and while the Bengals are in the Super Bowl, not even the Bengals’ ownership expected the team to reach this far. It just shows you how great Joe Burrow has been, leading this team to victory each and every week.
On paper, I would take the Rams over the Chiefs any day of the week. And I completely mean it. If the Rams played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, I’d be all over the Rams. But it’s interesting.
The Chiefs were -7.5 at one point against the Bengals for the AFC Championship game. Meanwhile, the Rams are only -4 against the Bengals. I think there’s value on Rams and it pains me to say this as I’m an LSU fan.
Super Bowl LVI Value Pick: Rams -4 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Under 49.5
The Rams allowed 17 points to the 49ers, held the Buccaneers to 27, and kept Arizona to 11 in the playoffs.
In that Buccaneers game, the Rams’ defense played so much better than that 27 number. Offensive mistakes led to fatigue for the defense and then the defense broke down in the second half against Tom Brady.
But the reality is, the defense for the Rams is elite. On the front seven, they’ll push the Bengals right out of the way. In the secondary, the Rams will have their hands full but the pressure will help to force mistakes from Burrow.
Meanwhile, the Bengals really showed up against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the second half. Nobody doubts this defense’s ability anymore and Matthew Stafford is prone to making mistakes.
So, therefore, the under looks like the play right now at 49.5. We’ll watch the line movement, but for now, there has been none up to this point.
Super Bowl LVI Value Pick: Under 49 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.