Ricky Dimon
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The home stretch toward Super Bowl Sunday has arrived. It’s game week, which means it’s time to really start getting down to business when it comes to making bets. The purpose of this piece is not to advise any specific plays, but rather to discuss some of the players on the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals who could decide the outcome of the game – and who will also inspire a lot of betting one way or another.
Here are 5 players – among many others – to watch in Super Bowl LVI.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Rams
At +800, Beckham is my best bet to be the first touchdown scorer of the Super Bowl. You know the Bengals are going to be paying a ton of attention to Cooper Kupp, especially in the red zone. OBJ, who had 5 touchdowns in 8 regular-season games with his new team and also scored in the divisional round against Arizona, may be able to take advantage. Although Cincinnati’s defense came up big against Kansas City in the AFC Championship, that unit ranked 26th against the pass during the regular season. Stafford’s connection with Kupp and Beckham could go a long way toward delivering the Lombardi Trophy to the Rams.
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams
Ramsey vs Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase is – quite obviously – one of the key head-to-head matchups in Super Bowl LVI. It is true that Stafford has more weapons at his disposal than Joe Burrow has at his, but if Chase goes crazy then there is no reason why Cincinnati can’t win this game even if it unexpectedly turns into a high-scoring affair. L.A.’s vaunted pass rush will also have a lot to say about this particular development. If Burrow is constantly under pressure, it will give Ramsey a considerable edge against Chase.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals
Sony Michel, RB, Rams
Cam Akers may be RB1 in Los Angeles, but don’t be surprised if Michel plays a major role on Sunday. The former University of Georgia star has plenty of big-game experience, and not just from his time in college. As a rookie he racked up 94 yards on 18 carries in New England’s recent Super Bowl victory over none other than the Rams and also scored that game’s only TD. Moreover, Akers has been injury prone and he was ineffective in the NFC Championship against San Francisco. Akers may be on a short leash. In turn, Michel over 18.5 rushing yards is one of Jared Smith’s best Super Bowl prop bets.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
Mixon has quite simply been awesome for the Bengals in 2021-22. He scored 16 touchdowns during the regular season (13 rushing, 3 receiving), found the endzone again in the divisional round against Tennessee, and gained 115 yards from scrimmage in the AFC Championship. At +110, Mixon is one of my best anytime touchdown scorer bets for Sunday’s festivities. The former Oklahoma standout is a +4000 ninth choice to be MVP; Stafford is a +120 underdog, followed by Burrow at +230 and Kupp at +550. Nobody else is better than +1600 (Aaron Donald).
The Burning Question: Who will win Super Bowl LVI?
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Bengals
We pretty much know that Donald, Von Miller, and Leonard Floyd are going to be wreaking havoc in the Bengals’ backfield. The question is if Hendrickson and company can do the same to Stafford. If not, Cincinnati could be in for a long day at the office. Hendrickson compiled 14 sacks in the regular season and already has 2.5 in the playoffs. Either defense or special teams scoring a touchdown on Sunday is +260.
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