Super Bowl 2022 Biggest Questions (Insights from our Rams Insider)
By Ben Heisler
Since the moment opening lines were released for Super Bowl LVI, our entire team at BetSided has been anxiously collecting insights, trends, and any relevant information to help make the most informed decisions to wager on the game.
But how similar or different do we line up with those who actually focus one each specific team?
Fortunately for us, we've enlisted the help of two different insiders who have covered each team throughout the season and postseason.
Bret Stuter is the insider over at Ramblin Fan covering, you guessed it, the Rams. We went through a series of five questions that pertained to a wide selection of different betting angles ahead of the Super Bowl.
Get the insights from the Cincinnati Bengals side of the ball from Stripe Hype's Leigh Oleszczak HERE
L.A. Rams Super Bowl Betting Perspective
1) What would need to happen for the Rams to win by 4 (or more) points and cover the spread?
The LA Rams have been that team that has faced an overwhelming amount of adversity this season, and yet this team has persevered and made it to the Super Bowl. From losing a starting running back (Cam Akers to an Achilles Tendon tear) to wide receiver Robert Woods to nose tackle Sebastian Joseph Day to starting safety Jordan Fuller, this team has found ways to restock the roster and renew their advance towards the Lombardi. The Rams even faced a COVID-19 breakout, which decimated their roster for about a month. And yet, they pulled off a five-game winning streak during it all.I like how the Rams match up in this one. Until this point, the Cincinnati Bengals have pulled off major upsets.
Now, despite the point spread, many NFL pundits are calling for them to win the game outright. I can't see that happening. The Rams have been to Super Bowl LIII and been turned away. They won't forget that lesson easily. The Bengals team has their entire NFL career ahead of them. For several Rams players, this is their last stand.
To win, the Rams will need to find success in the running game. If the Rams run 30 or more times, that will not only balance their offense nicely but will keep their defense well-rested as well.
2) What would need to happen for the Bengals to pull off the upset?
I think that the Rams have struggled mightily to overcome patient offenses. That is offenses that are content to move the football from 4-8 yards per play. When that happens, particularly if the Rams fall behind, their team becomes reckless and takes unnecessary chances.
If the Bengals jump out to an early lead and force the Rams offense to focus on passing only, this game could get out of hand pretty quickly for the Rams.
3) How do you see the game ultimately going? Is it a high-scoring back-and-forth game that exceeds 48.5 total points? Do you think it will be a defensive battle that falls under 48.5? Will one team play great and the other struggle?
With two high-powered offenses and two coaches who are very familiar with one another, I could see this game ending up in the 50+ range. If the LA Rams get the early lead, the Bengals will be forced to play catch up. As we've witnessed in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs when facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, no lead seems t be completely safe for the Rams this year. And the Bengals are quite capable of coming back from a deficit.
I see a game that could end up with the winning team needing 30+ points to truly feel as though they have this game in hand.
4) Who is one player on the opposing team that your team should be afraid of? What about one player on your team that the opposing team needs to seriously worry about?
I don't think fear is a good term to use for this one. Let's go with respect, and that respect is due to the Bengals' defense. They've clamped down on the Las Vegas Raiders, the Tennessee Titans, and the Kansas City Chiefs. That's why LA needs to remain balanced on offense. As soon as the Bengals are able to guess what the Rams intend to do on offense, they will quickly become very stingy.
5) What is your prediction and pick for Super Bowl 56? Who do you believe will win SB MVP?
I like the Rams in this one. Over the course of the regular season, The Bengals overcame the Baltimore Ravens (who didn't have Lamar Jackson for five games), the Pittsburgh Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger is now retiring after 18 NFL seasons), and the Cleveland Browns (Baker Mayfield has been questionable so far in his development).
On the flip side, the Rams had to compete against the Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Seattle Seahawks. Not only in the regular season, but the Rams faced both the Cards and the Niners in the playoffs as well. The LA Rams feel 'hungrier' in this one.
I like the Rams to have a better than expected running game, a trick or two in the passing game, and a game that could be one of All-Pro DT Aaron Donald's finest performances.
I love the matchup, so here is my prediction for the final score.
- LA Rams, 34
- Cincinnati Bengals, 21
Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!