The Super Bowl 56 betting total is sitting at 48.5 at nearly every sportsbook, which is down two points from the opening number of 50.5. It’s a curiously low consensus Over/Under, considering the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams both averaged 27.1 points per game during the 2021 NFL regular season.
Even in the playoffs, the two squads have averaged a combined 52 points per game (Cincinnati 24 ppg; L.A. 28 ppg). Then again, both defenses have been stingy through their three postseason games, with the Rams yielding 18.3 ppg and the Bengals surrendering 19.7 ppg heading into Super Bowl 56.
Those defenses will be tested often on Super Sunday, as both Cincinnati and Los Angeles have rosters loaded with playmakers. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of those playmakers’ 2021 statistics, followed by some trends to consider before placing your Super Bowl 56 side, total, and proposition wagers.
Super Bowl 56: Regular Season Player Stats
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford, Rams: 404 of 601 passing (67.2%), 4,886 yards passing, 41 TDs; 43 rushing yards, 0 TDs
Joe Burrow, Bengals: 366 of 520 passing (70.4%), 4,611 yards passing, 34 TDs; 118 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Running Backs
Sony Michel, Rams: 208 carries, 845 rushing yards, 4 TDs; 21 catches, 128 yards, 1 receiving TD
*Cam Akers, Rams: 213 total yards (153 rushing)
**Darrell Henderson, Rams: 149 carries, 688 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 29 catches, 176 yards, 3 receiving TDs
*-Reflective of playoff games only
**-Currently on injured reserve
Joe Mixon, Bengals: 292 carries, 1,205 rushing yards, 13 TDs; 42 catches, 314 yards, 3 receiving TDs
Samaje Perine, Bengals: 55 carries, 246 rushing yards, 1 TD; 27 catches, 196 yards, 1 receiving TD
Chris Evans, Bengals: 17 carries, 77 yards, 0 TDs; 15 catches, 151 yards, 2 receiving TDs
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp, Rams: 145 catches, 191 targets, 1,947 yards, 16 TDs
Van Jefferson, Rams: 50 catches, 89 targets, 802 yards, 6 TDs
*Robert Woods, Rams: 45 catches, 556 yards, 4 TDs
Odell Beckham Jr., Rams: 27 catches, 48 targets, 305 yards, 5 TDs
Ben Skowronek, Rams: 11 catches, 20 targets, 133 yards
*-Currently on injured reserve
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: 81 catches, 128 targets, 1,455 yards, 13 TDs
Tee Higgins, Bengals: 74 catches, 110 targets, 1,091 yards, 6 TDs
Tyler Boyd, Bengals: 67 catches, 94 targets, 828 yards, 5 TDs
Auden Tate, Bengals: 3 catches, 4 targets, 39 yards, 1 TD
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee, Rams: 61 catches, 85 targets, 560 yards, 5 TDs
Kendall Blanton, Rams: 4 catches, 7 targets, 37 yards
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals: 49 catches, 63 targets, 493 yards, 5 TDs
Drew Sample, Bengals: 11 catches, 15 targets, 81 yards
Kickers
Matt Gay, Rams: 32 of 34 field goals, 48 of 49 PATs (146 points)
Evan McPherson, Bengals: 28 of 33 field goals, 46 of 48 PATs (130 points)
Super Bowl 56: L.A. Rams Statistical Trends
— Including the playoffs, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford racked up multiple touchdowns in 12 of 14 games played indoors this season. When enjoying climate-controlled conditions, Stafford averaged 2.5 TDs per outing. He tossed two TDs in each of his three playoff games against the Cardinals (home), Buccaneers (road), and 49ers (home).
— Los Angeles had the NFL’s eighth-worst rushing offense during the regular season (99.0 yards per game); and yet, last week’s NFC championship game marked the first time all year Stafford attempted more than 41 passes.
— Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp — this season’s Triple Crown winner in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving TDs (16) — has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games, including the postseason. Kupp enters Super Bowl 56 having scored multiple TDs in six games, and he’s gained 100-plus receiving yards in 10 contests. (He also led the NFL with 30 explosive receptions of 20-plus yards during the regular season.) For the playoffs, Kupp owns a sterling catch-to-target rate of 78.1 percent (25 of 32 opportunities), which is even better than his 75.9 percent rate in the regular season.
— L.A.’s primary tight end, Tyler Higbee, suffered a sprained MCL in the NFC Championship Game and is questionable for Super Bowl 56. If Higbee can’t go, Kendall Blanton will get the nod. Blanton had four catches (on seven targets) for 37 yards and no touchdowns in the regular season. However, the second-year pro has snagged all seven targets for 75 and one TD in two postseason games.
— Rams place-kicker Matt Gay has missed as many field goals in three playoff games (two) as he did in the regular season. He’s 5-for-7 in the postseason (0-for-1 from 50-plus yards).
Super Bowl 56: Cincinnati Bengals Statistical Trends
— In five games versus NFC opponents this season, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow averaged 273.4 yards passing, 2.2 touchdowns, and 1.2 interceptions. Burrow completed 70.4 percent of his passes overall in the regular season, but that rate jumped to 75.3 percent against NFC foes.
— Burrow has turned it up a notch in the last two months, averaging 327.1 passing yards and 2.2 touchdowns in his last eight games. Despite those lofty numbers, the Bengals scored 23 or fewer points in half of those contests.
— Running back Joe Mixon has been a remarkably consistent force in the Cincinnati backfield. He enjoyed career highs this season in rushing yards (1,205), receiving yards (314), and total touchdowns (16). The oft-injured fifth-year back from Oklahoma averaged 94.9 scrimmage yards per game in the regular season; 96.8 yards in nine road outings (playoffs included); and 97 yards in Cincinnati’s playoff wins (vs. Raider, at Titans, at Chiefs).
— Bengals rookie wideout Ja’Marr Chase (81 catches, 1,455 yards, 13 TDs) notched 22 plays of 20-plus yards during the regular season, fourth most among NFL pass-catchers. He also recorded at least one catch of 34-plus yards in his first seven games. Chase has been similarly stellar during the playoffs, recording 20 catches for 279 yards and one touchdown in three games. He’s produced at least one reception of 20-plus yards in each postseason outing (four total).
— Like the Rams’ Higbee, Cincinnati tight end C.J. Uzomah sprained his MCL in the conference title game and is questionable for the Super Bowl. Uzomah’s backup, Drew Sample, caught 11 passes on 15 targets for 81 yards and no TDs in the regular season. He has just one catch (two targets) for four years in the postseason.
— Since Week 6, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson has drilled 35 of 36 field-goal attempts. He’s been money in the postseason, going 4-for-4 in all three games, including making all three attempts from 50-plus yards.
