We are just over a week away from Super Bowl LVI and there have been so many bets placed. The percentage of bets and handle are currently favoring the Bengals, but overall, anything can happen in the final week leading up to the big game.
I’m going to look to break down the three players that could be potential x-factors in this game to help lead their team to victory.
So let’s waste no time and get right to it!
TE Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals
Last week, C.J. Uzomah injured his knee against the Chiefs trying to make a catch. While it’s just an MCL sprain, Uzomah likely won’t be fully healed by gametime.
Uzomah wants to play badly and the Bengals aren’t ruling that out. But the reality is, Uzomah won’t get the snaps he wants and won’t be feeling his best in that game.
So it’s going to be up to Drew Sample at tight end. Sample’s player prop is currently 7.5 on his total receiving yards. If Uzomah isn’t playing or is limited in snaps, Sample will be big in this game.
He had just 11 receptions for 81 yards this season but he’s more than capable of doing with Uzomah does. He might not have the same leadership and passion, but Sample is a quality target who was drafted in the second round in 2019. He’s a legitimate talent that if given the opportunity, can shine.
Give Sample a look if you’re looking for a small player prop for your NFL picks, Uzomah gets a lot of targets and Sample will as well, especially if his snap count goes up.
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WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
This is a no-brainer. Chase had 81 receptions and 1,455 yards in his first season with the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie. He hauled in 13 touchdowns and averaged 18 yards per catch, which was second-best in the NFL.
Chase will easily win the Rookie of the Year award and despite being quiet against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, he still had 9 targets and a touchdown.
Chase is a big play machine and continues to shine under the spotlight. If it’s not Chase, there are other guys on the Bengals’ roster that can succeed, like Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, but I’d expect Chase to be the guy against the Rams.
On the top-rated sportsbooks, you can find his total at 79.5 receiving yards at -115 and can also find him to score a touchdown at +105. Both of those are very reasonable prices on Chase and I believe he has an edge there.
WR Odell Beckham Jr., Los Angeles Rams
I guess we’ll stick with LSU wide-outs! But really, Odell Beckham Jr. has been a workhorse for the Rams ever since he came over.
Against the 49ers, Beckham Jr. had 9 catches on 11 targets for 113 yards. The Bengals secondary and defense overall have been much better recently, but with Odell being the number two receiver on the team, he’s getting open at a high rate.
I’m looking at his completions sitting at 5.5 and believe he’ll easily get over if he’s going to get around 10 targets in this game.
Beckham Jr. has been a touchdown machine with the Rams and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rams went to Beckham Jr. in the end zone again. He’s got the nicest hands in the NFL!
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