Let’s break down the Super Bowl LVI betting trends that are most likely to help you place winning wagers on the game. Top sportsbooks have released their NFL odds for the upcoming Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals.
With a lot of time until this game, we have ample opportunity to break the matchup down from many different angles. In view of this battle, there are many trends that are worth observing. Trends, by establishing a pattern, have predictive value. Here are the best trends to note that should help you make informed NFL picks for this game.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, February 13, 2022 – 6:30 PM EST at SoFi Stadium
Trend #1
Cincinnati is currently enjoying a 7-0 ATS run. What is likely more impressive than the trend itself is the fact that, during this seven-game span, the Bengals won four times as the underdog. In the Divisional Round, they were four-point underdogs in Nashville, yet won 19-16 Most recently, they were seven-point underdogs in Kansas City, but they still beat the Chiefs 27-24.
This trend reflects how NFL oddsmakers still fail to account for how good the Bengals are. They've improved quicker than oddsmakers are able to adjust. At the beginning of the season, the Bengals did manage a winning record, but they were playing a lot of bad teams.
For example, they were 3-2 with the eventually seventh-seeded Steelers squad being the only eventual playoff team that they defeated. After losing at home to Green Bay, they maintained their winning record by beating highly problematic Lions and Ravens teams before exchanging pairs of losses with pairs of wins.
What was disappointing in all of this is was the team's low offensive efficiency. The personnel on the Bengals' offense was always excellent outside of the offensive line and head coach Zac Taylor is supposed to be a Sean McVay-influenced offensive guru.
But the Bengals turned things around when they played Denver on December 19. They won 15-10 in Denver, which is always a tough place to play given the approximately "mile-high" altitude in that city.
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Cincinnati beat Denver, Baltimore, Kansas City, lost a meaningless regular-season finale in Cleveland, then beat the Raiders, Titans, and Chiefs in the playoffs. These seven games form its current seven-game trend. Joe Burrow has been one pivotal player in this current hot streak.
In December, his passer rating was 113.3. In January, it was 148.0. His passer rating has dropped from those regular-season highs in the postseason. But the surprising defense, occasional help from running back Joe Mixon, superb field goal kicking, and Burrow simply being better and more clutch than the opposing quarterback allow the Bengals to maintain their ATS streak, winning games straight-up and covering with ease.
Similar Trends
In a similar vein, note that the Bengals are on a 6-0 ATS run against teams with a winning record. They are not simply beating up cupcakes, but they have been impressive against the NFL's top teams.
Tennessee was the top seed in the AFC despite not having superstar running back Derrick Henry for most of the season. Still, the Bengals beat the Titans in Nashville. Kansas City was almost the top seed.
Last year's Super Bowl runner-up, though, couldn't hold off a Bengals' comeback in Arrowhead Stadium. Likewise, Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last five games against teams that were favored. Two of those games came, of course, against the Titans and Chiefs.
Road Trend
After upending the Raiders at home, the Bengals have had to make it to the Super Bowl by winning on the road. These road wins are part of a greater trend: Cincinnati is 6-1 ATS as road underdogs this year.
This success on the road reflects the great composure of Cincinnati's young starting quarterback.
Burrow has been composed enough to win in the hardest environments and under the most high-pressure circumstances.
His win in Nashville was particularly impressive because he was dominated by the Titan pass rush. Despite being sacked nine times, he amassed 348 yards. Winning in Kansas City was also impressive because of the 18-point deficit that his team faced. This road trend is one more reason why the Bengals ATS look like the best bet worth placing at +4 (-108) with Heritage Sports.
NFL Pick: Bengals +4 (-108) with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports 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.
