After two weeks to build up the excitement and anticipation, Super Bowl LVI is finally here! To be completely transparent, the matchup is still just as surprising as it was two weeks ago when we first found out that the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals would be the two teams meeting with a championship on the line. Either way, we will have a fresh face emerging with the Lombardi Trophy. It has been two decades since the Rams last won the Super Bowl and even longer than that since the Bengals even played in one. The NFL betting odds have grown a bit since our early preview of this matchup. Current NFL picks against the spread favor the NFC representative to emerge from this Rams vs Bengals Super Bowl matchup victorious.
The following Rams vs Bengals NFL betting preview will provide you with a look at the odds, key betting trends and picks for Super Bowl LVI.
Rams vs Bengals NFL Playoffs Betting Preview
NFL Postseason — Super Bowl LVI
Los Angeles Rams (15-5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (13-7)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13, 2021
Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
Venue: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, CA
Coverage: NBC
Los Angeles Rams Preview
The Rams will be trying to become the second team in as many years to win the Super Bowl on their home field. It has been clear that Los Angeles was all in on winning the NFL championship this season. The first step of reaching the Super Bowl is complete. Now, it is up to Sean McVay to have a better NFL betting result in his second appearance in the Big Game as head coach.
Unlike his head coach, this will be the first appearance in the Super Bowl for quarterback Matthew Stafford. It’s hard to believe that he had never even won a playoff game prior to this season, his first as a Ram. Stafford will have his full cast of weapons available on Sunday, headlined by Cooper Kupp. Fresh off of winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors following one of the best receiving seasons in league history, Kupp figures to again be a key factor in the Super Bowl. The Rams’ backfield also got an unexpected boost when Darrell Henderson was cleared to play in the Super Bowl. It remains to be seen whether he or Cam Akers operates as the lead back.
The dominant effort put forth by Aaron Donald and the Rams defense in the fourth quarter of the NFC title game was a pleasure to watch. Considering how porous the Bengals’ offensive line has been this season, it’s reasonable to anticipate Donald, Leonard Floyd and Von Miller being a regular presence in the backfield on Sunday. Don’t discount the secondary either, which is led by shutdown corner, Jalen Ramsey. Then there’s Eric Weddle, who led Los Angeles in total tackles two weeks ago. Yes, that’s the same Eric Weddle who was a retiree less than two months ago!
Cincinnati Bengals Preview
For the first time since 1989, the Bengals are set to partake in the Super Bowl. Many NFL betting analysts felt that Cincinnati was at least a year or two away from making legitimate noise in the AFC North Division, let alone the championship picture. Well, here they are. Can former Rams assistant Zac Taylor navigate the Bengals to one of the most improbably Super Bowl titles in history?
While this year marked Joe Burrow’s first appearance in the NFL Playoffs, he certainly has previous experience on the big stage. Just two years removed from leading LSU to the College Football Playoff National Championship, Burrow is now trying to deliver for a Super Bowl-starved Bengals fanbase. Burrow was recognized with the Comeback Player of the Year Award this past Thursday. Joining him in receiving recognition was his former college teammate, Ja’Marr Chase. After an incredible close to the season, Chase walked away with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Along with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Chase completes a three-headed pass-catching monster.
Of course, the key for the Bengals in this Super Bowl NFL betting matchup will be the play of the offensive line. Not only must they fend off the Rams’ star pass-rushers long enough for Burrow to make his reads, but they also must find success achieve run-blocking success. If Cincinnati can get Joe Mixon going early, it will be a massive boost to their chances of covering the NFL picks against the spread. On defense, the Bengals dropped eight in coverage more than any other team this season. Underrated pass-rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard enabled them to do so. Given the array of weapons L.A. has on offense, expect plenty of this defensive alignment in the Super Bowl.
Rams vs Bengals Betting Odds and NFL Picks Against the Spread
NFL betting odds for the Rams vs Bengals Super Bowl are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.
Moneyline: LAR: (-210) | CIN: (+175)
Spread: LAR: -4.5 (-110) | CIN: +4.5 (-110)
Total: 49 — Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: LAR: (57%) | CIN: (43%)
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Rams vs Bengals NFL Betting Trends
- Rams are 6-3 ATS and 8-1 straight up in their last nine games.
- Nine of the Rams’ last 10 games against AFC North Division opponents have gone under the total.
- Rams are only 1-5 ATS in their last six games against AFC opponents.
- Rams are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games when on a winning streak of three games or more.
- Bengals are 7-0 ATS and 6-1 straight up in their last seven games.
- Four of the Bengals’ last five games have gone under the total.
- Bengals are 13-2 ATS in their last 15 games with 1000 miles or more of travel.
- Bengals are just 2-11-1 straight up in their last 14 games against NFC opponents.
- Rams are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven head-to-head matchups against the Bengals.
- Each of the last five Rams vs. Bengals head-to-head matchups has gone under the NFL betting total.
Rams vs Bengals Stats
- Los Angeles is averaging 27.2 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 6 in the NFL).
- Los Angeles is surrendering 21.4 PPG this season (No. 10 in the NFL).
- Cincinnati is averaging 27.6 PPG this season (No. 6 in the NFL).
- Cincinnati is surrendering 21.8 PPG this season (T-No. 13 in the NFL).
Rams vs Bengals Prediction
When it comes down to it, the biggest mismatch on the field in the Super Bowl is the Rams’ defensive front against the Bengals’ offensive line. After allowing nine sacks in the Divisional Round, Cincinnati surrendered four more in the AFC Championship Game. The vast majority of the Bengals’ struggles have come against a four-man rush. Are we really supposed to believe that Cincy will now be able to turn around and stave off the likes of Aaron Donald and cohorts?
While the Bengals’ defense is fully capable of keeping them in the game, they have benefitted greatly from turnovers and dubious mistakes by their opponents in the playoffs. That luck has to run out eventually. Even though the Rams lost Robert Woods to a season-ending injury, the offense has hardly missed a beat. Odell Beckham Jr. has provided a major boost since signing midseason and Van Jefferson has plenty of speed to kill. So long as the Rams avoid shooting themselves in the foot, they have the talent to emerge with a convincing NFL betting victory.
For what it’s worth, NumberFire’s game projections give Los Angeles a 61.7% chance to win this Rams vs Bengals Super Bowl LVI matchup.
Rams vs Bengals Prediction: Rams -4.5 (-110 at BetUS Sportsbook)
