The Rams and Bengals will square off in Super Bowl 56 on February 13th at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of the LA Rams. And while many are discussing the point spread and total on the big game, we are looking at the hottest props to pad our bankrolls.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, February 13, 2022 – 06:30 PM EST at SoFi Stadium
Matthew Stafford Passing Yards
- Over 283 (-114)
- Under 283 (-104)
You would be well-advised to shop around if you like this, or any other prop for that matter because the numbers move quickly. And remember, the only way you will get the sharpest line is to have multiple outs where you can compare the odds at each of the best online sportsbooks.
As of this writing, BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review) is dealing the Matthew Stafford passing total at 283 yards which looks like an excellent spot to go over the posted in your NFL picks. Stafford has had issues at various points throughout the season due to his chronic back problems. You can see it in his throwing mechanics and it causes him to throw head-scratching interceptions.
Now, I am not being a Stafford apologist, because not all those picks were due to strained or inflamed back muscles, but Stafford appears to be back on track as evidenced by his recent performances in which he tossed 366 yards against the Bucs and 337 against the 49ers.
We can see a stark difference between what he has done recently and what he did over the last four games of the regular season. In that sample, Stafford only passed for over 283 yards once and averaged a paltry 226 yards. And more to the point, Stafford passed eight TD passes yet tossed eight interceptions as well over those four contests. In his three playoff performances, he has struck gold six times with only one pick.
VIDEO PICKS: Watch BMR's Free Expert Sports Betting Picks of the Day
Does Cincinnati’s 26th-ranked pass defense scare you? Well, it doesn’t scare Stafford and I suspect he will toss north of 300 yards so going over 283 looks like money to me.
NFL Pick: Over 283 (-114) at BetOnline
Joe Mixon Rushing Yards
- Over 64.5 (-115)
- Under 64.5 (-115)
When you isolate those prop bets that catch your eye, there has to be a storyline that’s running through your mind to fit the narrative. And in keeping with that, I believe the Rams are going to make the sledding tough for the Cincinnati running game led by Joe Mixon.
LA boasted the sixth-ranked run defense, allowing 103.2 yards per game during the regular season. However, in three playoff games, the Rams lead all postseason entries in surrendering only 54 yards per game. Even Tampa Bay’s ferocious running back, Leonard Fournette, gained just 51 yards in LA’s 30-27 win over the Bucs. I’m not convinced Mixon will fare any better considering the Bengals could fall behind early, as they did against Kansas City, and will forsake the running game for an air show featuring Joe Burrow.
Mixon has surpassed 64 ½ rushing yards only twice over his last eight games and although one of those games was against the Chiefs, it was primarily due to a 23-yard dash that caught KC flat-footed. The Rams’ run-stop unit is far better than Kansas City’s so going low here looks like money waiting to be made.
NFL Pick: Under 64 ½ (-110) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Super Bowl MVP
The usual suspects, aka the quarterbacks, are the favorites to win the Super Bowl MVP and it would surprise no one if Matthew Stafford or Joe Burrow took home the hardware. However, the NFL odds on those two are +115 and +240, respectively, with the third choice, Cooper Kupp, at +500.
However, I am looking to an outlier that is paying 10-1 on my money and if it is indeed a low-scoring game, then the MVP Award could shift from offense to defense. And who better to hoist that trophy aloft than the man who has been called the best football player in the game today… Aaron Donald.
We saw the Titans sack Burrow a whopping nine times and although it is highly unlikely the Rams will dirty Joe Cool’s uniform that often, it wouldn’t surprise me if Aaron Donald dragged Burrow down two or three times on Super Sunday and maybe dug up a fumble recovery or tipped a pass or two. Add it all up, and that could be the kind of performance that earns Aaron Donald an MVP Trophy and brings us a serious return on investment.
NFL Pick: Aaron Donald to Win MVP (+1000) at 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.
