Super Bowl LVI features an exciting matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have the good fortune of being the second team in as many years also to be hosting the championship. Los Angeles makes its fifth appearance and second in four seasons in franchise history, while the Bengals are back for the third time and first since 1988.
The kickoff for the grand finale is at 6:30 p.m. EST inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. NBC will be carrying the broadcast of the contest. Los Angeles is currently a 3.5-point favorite over the Bengals, and the over-under total stands at 48.5 points.
What to Know – Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was born in 1996, seven years after the Bengals’ last appearance in the Super Bowl. The Bengals are 0-2 in Super Bowl games, losing both appearances to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Bengals offense during the postseason has averaged 27.1 points and 385.2 yards of total offense per game. Through its three postseason victories, Cincinnati’s defense holds opponents to 19.7 points and 395.7 yards of total offense.
Burrow has thrown for 842 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions during the postseason. The sophomore quarterback’s main target has been rookie wide receiver and former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase who’s hauled in 20 receptions for 279 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Joe Mixon has 52 carries for 190 yards with a touchdown and has been used out of the backfield catching 13 passes for 106 yards.
What to Know – Los Angeles Rams
The Rams hope to add their second Super Bowl trophy to their trophy case on Sunday after winning the franchise’s first in 1999. Los Angeles fell to the New England Patriots, 13-3, in head coach Sean McVay’s first Super Bowl appearance with the Rams.
Los Angeles has scored 27.1 points per game and averaged 386.8 yards of total offense during its playoff run. On defense, the Rams have surrendered 18.3 points per game and are holding teams to 286.7 yards of offense.
Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford has risen to the occasion during the postseason, throwing for 905 yards with six touchdowns and only one interception. Wide out Cooper Kupp continues to be his main target, amassing 386 yards and four touchdowns through the air on 25 receptions. Running back Cam Akers has been the featured back in the playoffs after an injury ketp him sidelined during the regular season.
The Pick is In
Sunday’s playoff finale showcases two powerful offenses guided by two of the best quarterbacks in the league. You’ll also get to see two of the top wide receivers in the league go toe-to-toe in Kupp and Chase.
The Rams defense, especially the front seven, is going to be the difference-maker in the game. Cincinnati’s offensive line is the weak link of that unit, and they haven’t faced a defensive front as talented as Aaron Donald and company.
Cincinnati will be able to score points, but it’s the Los Angeles defense that creates enough stops to give the Rams franchise their second Super Bowl title.
Betting Pick: Los Angeles Rams -4
