Super Bowl LVI Picks: Why Rams Can Cover vs. Bengals (Archive)
Only a few days remain for you to get your Super Bowl LVI bets in. The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams have already been pulling in a ton of betting action thanks to some juicy NFL odds. The public has thus far favored the Rams, and the sharps are leaning towards the Bengals.
We’re breaking down the Super Bowl from every angle possible throughout the week. Today we’re looking at why the Rams can cover this line as a favorite and win their first Super Bowl in the last 20 years. Warding off the Bengals won’t be easy but they’re fully equipped to do so.
We’re breaking this game down from the Rams’ point of view, and providing three reasons they can cover this spread. This is the most bet on the event of the year, so we’ll be relying on trends and personnel matchups for our NFL picks.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, February 13, 2022 – 06:30 PM EST at SoFi Stadium
Star-Laden Roster
The most obvious reason to believe in the Rams' ability to win and cover a four-point spread is the uniqueness of their roster. The Rams went all-in with their draft capital and salary assets in order to acquire high-impact stars at key positions. This is a drastically different strategy than what the Bengals have done.
The Rams' ability to throw out an offensive core of Matthew Stafford, Cam Akers, Cooper Kupp, and Odell Beckham Jr. can be matched by the Bengals. We can't mitigate the fact that Cincinnati has unreal offensive potential as well. But the Rams are more reliable because of a solidified pass-blocking offensive line compared to the Bengals' ragtag group.
The Rams' defense has been excellent at limited rushing yards and passing scores, while also forcing the third-most interceptions. They bend without breaking, which works well with stars who have a heightened sense of playmaking and awareness. The Bengals utilize the same strategy but are less effective at creating turnovers because their secondary is not quite as talented.
Coaching Advantage
The fact that Sean McVay's former offensive coordinator is on the other sideline facing him cannot be overlooked. The master is facing his protege, and the two offenses have similar principles despite evolving in different ways. Both offenses run for the effect of the run on play-action and balance but ultimately rely on the quarterbacks.
McVay has built the ideal situation for Stafford to succeed with his scheme and the immensely talented receiving duo. Kupp is coming off a record-breaking season where he proved to be unstoppable. As well as Bengals' corner Mike Hilton has guarded him throughout their matchups, Kupp's usage has been on another level this season.
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Taylor has built a more quarterback-centric attack that relies on Joe Burrow's creative ability to escape the chaos that rains down on him in the pocket. It's somehow worked this long but this feels different due to the presence of Aaron Donald and Von Miller. Those two are better than any top-two pass rusher tandem than any the Bengals have faced, and the Rams are heavy blitzes on top of their own individual talent.
Experience
With Stafford in his prime at 33, Kupp at 28, Beckham at 29, Jalen Ramsey at 27, Donald at 30, and Miller at 32, the Rams aren't walking into this game as nervous as the young Bengals. The Bengals core is made up of a bunch of playmakers 25 and under. Their defense doesn't feature a single contributor over 27.
Taylor's own youth as a head coach only compounds this question mark. And while they've done extremely well to overcome their lack of experience to this point in the playoffs, this is a very real moment that will cause both teams to stumble early on. There's an inevitable nervousness every Super Bowl that stifles offenses.
The safer play is to rely on the more talented and veteran team on the grandest stage. It's a much more reasonable and comfortable argument than any other for the outcome of the Bengals-Rams.
NFL Pick: Rams -4 (-110) with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*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.