— Sunday, February 13th Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals
After never having a team play a Super Bowl in their home stadium for 54 years, the NFL has now seen it happen two years in a row. Such is the case as the Los Angeles Rams (12-5) welcome the Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) to Southern California for Super Bowl LVI. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Rams and Bengals haven’t played since 2019 when Los Angeles won 24-10 on the road, but Joe Burrow was still in college, and Matthew Stafford was in Detroit. The Rams are 1-3 in their Super Bowl history with a win after the 1999 season. The Bengals are 0-2, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in both appearances in the 1980s.
Burrow, Chase Lead Bengals
The Bengals are 13-7 ATS this season, and the under is 12-8 in their 20 games. They went 7-3 away from home this season, covering in six straight games as the underdog. The under has hit in seven straight playoff games involving the Bengals.
In the playoffs, Burrow has thrown for 832 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He was only sacked one time in the AFC Championship Game after going down nine times against the Titans the week before. The offensive line is a concern, especially against this Rams pass rush.
Joe Mixon has 190 rushing yards in the playoffs with one touchdown. He had his best playoff game against the Chiefs with 88 rushing yards, 115 total yards, and a long rush of 23 yards.
Ja’Marr Chase has been the big-play receiver all season for the Bengals, and he has 20 catches for 279 yards in the playoffs. He scored his first playoff touchdown against the Chiefs and had six catches on nine targets. Tee Higgins had six catches for 103 yards against the Chiefs, and he has 208 yards in the postseason.
Tight end CJ Uzomah went down with an injury against the Chiefs but is expected to play in the Super Bowl. He has one playoff touchdown, as does Tyler Boyd. Mixon and Uzomah both have 13 catches in the playoffs, while Boyd has 10.
Stafford & Kupp Have Magical Connection
The Rams are 10-10 ATS this season, and the over is 10-9-1 in their 20 games. While this is technically a neutral site game, the Rams are 7-3 at SoFi Stadium this season. They have covered in three of the last five games after missing the number by a half-point in the NFC Championship Game.
In the three playoff wins, Stafford has 905 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He has led game-winning field-goal drives in each of the last two games and has completed 72% of his passes in the playoffs.
Cam Akers made a big return from injury for the final regular-season game and has taken a larger role in the playoffs. In three games, he has 151 yards on 54 carries but no touchdowns. Sony Michel has one score with 78 yards on 24 carries, and Stafford has a pair of one-yard touchdowns runs in the playoffs.
Fresh off being named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp is ready to challenge the Bengals secondary. He has 25 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs, with 11 catches for 142 yards and two scores in the NFC Championship Game.
Odell Beckham Jr. has 19 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs after grabbing nine balls for 113 yards against the 49ers. Tight end Tyler Higbee is likely out after being injured in the NFC Championship Game, while his replacement, Kendall Blanton, had five catches for 57 yards against San Francisco.
Betting Analysis
- Cincinnati Bengals +4.5 (-110). Money line +175
- Los Angeles Rams -4.5 (-110) Money line -210
- Total Points 49.5 Over -105, Under -115
Turnovers will be the key as the two quarterbacks combined to throw 34 interceptions in the regular season and playoffs. The Rams have the bigger names on defense, but Cincinnati has held their last four opponents to 24 points or less. Sean McVey has the Super Bowl coaching experience, and the Rams are at home; that could be the difference on Sunday.
Betting Pick: Rams -4.5 (-110)
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