SoFi Stadium will play host to Monday's Super Bowl LVI between Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. The game kicks off at 10:35 am with Los Angeles Rams heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Monday February 14, 2022 at 10:35 am
Where: SoFi Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds
Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals Preview
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are the latest example of how important a great quarterback is to a team’s chances at success.
Two years ago, Cincinnati chose to draft Joe Burrow No. 1 overall instead of an offensive lineman, a slightly controversial decision coming off a 2-14 season.
In just two years, the former Heisman winner and College Football National Champion has turned the Bengals’ franchise around, leading them to an AFC North title in just his second season, and most importantly, their first Super Bowl berth in 33 years.
The poise and patience Burrow has shown through college and the NFL has been amazing to watch, and it was again on full display last week when he led his side back from a 21-10 half-time deficit to defeat the heavily favoured Chiefs in overtime.
I’ve said time and time again this season that we’re watching a future Hall of Famer in the making, and if the Bengals are to win their first-ever ring, it’s definitely going to come on the arm of Burrow.
Not to take anything away from Joe Mixon, but the passing game is paramount to Cincinnati’s chances.
The Rams held San Francisco, a team with a strong running game, to just 50 yards last week, meaning there’s a good chance we see Burrow attempt a similar number of throws in the Super Bowl.
Fortunately, the Bengals are set up to air it out where’ve and whenever the situation calls.
Rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase was instrumental in last week’s win over the Chiefs, while Mr. Underrated himself, Tee Higgins, continues to fly under the radar and pose problems deep downfield.
The Bengals would love to have tight end C.J. Uzomah fit for this game after spraining his MCL in the AFC Championship, but there’s still enough depth on the roster with Chase, Higgins, and Tyler Boyd to choose from.
Meanwhile, on defence, Lou Anarumo’s unit continues to be underestimated by opponents.
The pass rush was enormous last week in the late stages against the Chiefs, while the Bengals have been one of the toughest teams to covert against on third down all season.
Overall, when you step back and look at this team on paper, there’s no question they are built to win a Lombardi Trophy now, and for several years to come.
How this young squad handles the moment of the Super Bowl, let alone another tough “road” environment is the question, but based on everything we’ve seen so far, the current odds about Cincinnati ($2.60/+4.5) might be a touch over.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are back on the Super Bowl stage for the second time under Sean McVay, and this time, they’ll be hoping they score more than three points.
The journey up until this point has been a wild one to say the least.
After trading away Jared Goff to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford, the Rams opened the season 7-1 before things got a little hairy towards the midway point.
Suddenly, LA’s defence was giving up a stack of points to teams like Green Bay and Jacksonville, setting up a decisive Week 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers to determine the NFC West.
The Rams would lose that game in overtime and still claim the division, but the result basically put a line through their Super Bowl chances, at least according to experts.
Like we’ve seen all season though, the Rams quickly found their mojo when it mattered most, rolling right through the Cardinals in the Wild Card Game, putting up a big margin on the Bucs (at least until late), and coming up with a clutch interception last week to seal a nail-biting win over the 49ers.
With home-field advantage, the Rams go into the Super Bowl as the rightful favourite, and if Stafford continues to play like he has done right throughout the playoffs, they’ll be tough to beat.
Stafford had some serious turnover concerns during LA’s midseason lull, but he’s rebounded nicely to throw just the one pick during the postseason.
Like the Bengals, the Rams are also stacked with offensive weapons, led by the league’s leading receiver Cooper Kupp, and Odell Beckham Jr, who has suddenly returned to his former, dominant self after a midseason trade from Cleveland.
Those two, plus ever-dangerous tight end Tyler Higbee, make up one of the most lethal passing attacks in the game, while LA’s rushing attack can also hurt you in more ways than one.
They say star players show up when it matters most, and that’s without even mentioning three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, Super Bowl champion Von Miller, or Patrick Ramsay.
Unlike the inexperienced Bengals, the Rams have a different kind of pressure to face in the Super Bowl: expectations.
Star players like the ones mentioned above are expected to win rings, while Sean McVay also knows this is his chance to right what went wrong against New England three years ago.
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Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals Tip
We're tipping Los Angeles Rams to win at $1.47 odds.