Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams may feature one of the larger spreads in recent NFL deciders but isn’t as straightforward to call as it may seem.
The Bengals’ knack for pulling off an upset and the Rams’ inability to put teams away makes the outcome trickier to call than it would first appear, leading to punters focusing on the player and team prop markets instead.
We’ve combed through the options to bring you our favourite prop bets for Super Bowl 56.
Beckham a big part of Rams plan
Odell Beckham Jr over 62.5 receiving yards – 19/20
Anyone who read our early to bed bets will know we expect Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr to have a big night on Sunday. The Bengals have done a good job of nullifying their opponent’s main passing option during their playoff run, which in the case of the Rams is Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp.
That could leave Beckham will plenty of one-on-one matchups against Cincinnati defenders and he’s in good enough form to take advantage of those situations. Beckham’s had over 69 yards in each of his last two games, while he’s been targeted regularly by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown to him on seven or more occasions in four of the Rams’ last six outings.
McPherson can continue to shoot straight
Evan McPherson over 7.5 kicking points – 20/23
The Bengals’ offence was red hot in the second half of the regular season but has cooled since, resulting in more of an emphasis on the boot of kicker Evan McPherson. The rookie hasn’t let Cincinnati down, converting all 12 of his field goals attempts in the playoffs, including three from over 50 yards.
McPherson has been perfect from extra points too, proving to have ice in his veins in pressure situations. In the regular season, he was averaging 8.1 kicking points per game and that average has only gone up in the playoffs. Don’t expect the man nicknamed ‘Shooter’ to start firing blanks just because it’s the Super Bowl.
Endzone calling to Michel
Sony Michel anytime touchdown scorer – 7/2
Cam Akers has been the workhorse in the Rams’ backfield in the playoffs after a rapid recovery from an Achilles injury that kept him out for most of the season. However, a couple of costly fumbles in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw his snap count cut for the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, with Sony Michel picking up the slack.
With Akers entering the Super Bowl carrying a shoulder injury and the potential for another timeshare, there’s value in taking Michel to play a big role in the Rams offence. Michel, a Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots three years ago, has logged the most carries in the red zone for the Rams this year and has five touchdowns to his name.
Miller time
Von Miller to be named Super Bowl MVP – 40/1
It may seem folly going against either of the quarterbacks being named Super Bowl MVP given the prize has gone to a QB in 11 of the past 15 years but if the Rams are to win this, they need a big showing from the defence.
Aaron Donald is the focal point of the Rams defence and is likely to cause some disruption but there’s value in having a small wager on his defensive colleague Von Miller stealing the show. A mid-season acquisition from the Denver Broncos, Miller really started to hit his stride down the home stretch, registering seven sacks in the last seven games.
Miller is bidding to become the first non-quarterback to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards and that backstory could play well in this award, which is partly voted for by the public.
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