The weekend has arrived for the biggest single sporting event of the year on Feb. 13. The American Gaming Association reports that a record 31.4 million Americans are expected to place a bet on Super Bowl 56 between the Cincinnati Bengals and favored Los Angeles Rams (-4).
But beyond the Super Bowl numbers and betting on the spread, total, or moneyline, proposition bets (props) add to the wagering interest. Props offer hundreds of other options and ways to bet on the game that don’t impact the outcome.
Leading sportsbook operators like DraftKings Sportsbook also offer millions of dollars in bonus bets on the Super Bowl.
So if you’re a sports bettor and making Super Bowl bets in New Hampshire, here are popular players to watch and some prop bets you might consider when you wager on a mobile app on Super Bowl LVI.
Super Bowl prop bets and popular players
It’s easy to bet on the 2022 Super Bowl online and get engaged and involved with the excitement of the event.
However, with hundreds of prop bets to sort through in various categories, it can be a bit overwhelming for bettors to narrow in on prop bets. The betting market also moves, so it’s fluid and changing as the sportsbooks take bets and adjust some of the props and numbers.
You can check out the PlayUSA live prop odds for Super Bowl 56 and search players and props of interest more easily.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow
Looking at the player props, quarterbacks get most of the attention. They are usually the favorites to win Super Bowl MVP – Most Valuable Player.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford‘s passing yards prop is over/under 283.5 yards while Bengals QB Joe Burrow‘s passing yards prop is 278.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook. And at Caesars Sportsbook, Burrow is the most popular player to bet on, and especially over his 11.5 rushing yards prop.
“The over money keeps coming in on Burrow,” Caesars Sportsbook Director of Trading Adam Pullen told PlayUSA.
Joe Burrow’s prop markets have attracted 1.5 times more handle than Matthew Stafford’s so far at Caesars Sportsbook.
Wide Receivers Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins
The top receivers are drawing more interest as well with Rams Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp (105.5) expected to have a big game and the highest receiving yards prop of any receiver in the Super Bowl. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (78.5) has the highest receiving yards prop on Cincinnati ahead of Tee Higgins (71.5).
Rams WR Odell Beckham (63.5 receiving yards prop) is a former LSU Tiger like national championship winners Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Beckham, Chase, and Higgins all have an over/under of 5.5 receptions, while Kupp is 8.5.
Receiving props to bet
I’ve connected and corresponded with some well-informed professional handicappers and sources, including Dr. Bob Sports and Pro Football Focus, for added insight, analysis, and advanced analytics for a statistical approach to guide you to some potential winning prop bets on Super Bowl LVI.
Rams WR Odell Beckham over 5.5 receptions
Pro Football Focus likes Odell Beckham to be a popular target for QB Stafford. His 5.5 receptions prop has +116 odds to hit the over 5.5 receptions. So a $10 bet wins $11.60, and a $100 bet wins $116 if Beckham catches at least six passes.
Beckham had six receptions for 69 yards in the playoff win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and nine catches for 113 yards in the NFC Conference Championship win against the San Francisco 49ers.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) notes that Beckham’s involvement in the Rams‘ offense has increased since he joined the team in November after being released by the Cleveland Browns.
With the Bengals below-average pass rush and less strength in the secondary than either the Bucs or 49ers, Beckham should gest his share of targets with Cincinnati’s focus more on Cooper Kupp.
Beckham sees a higher threat rate against man defense. According to PFF, his threat rate is 30.2% against man coverage compared to 16.3% against zone coverage.
The Bengals have run more man coverage in the playoffs, and Cincinnati has faced fewer teams that pass the ball more to wide receivers.
Beckham has now received 22.2%, 22.2%, and 26.2% of the team looks in the passing game in the playoffs, and the Rams are first in the NFL in wide receiver target share (72%).
The match-ups suggest Beckham will get his share of targets and catches in the more explosive Rams offense, especially in the Red Zone, where the Rams passed more than any team in the league inside the 10–yard line.
Beckham’s odds to have the most receiving yards in the Super Bowl are also +800. Kupp’s odds are +120, Chase +400, and Higgins +600 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Rams RB Cam Akers over 15.5 receiving yards
Keeping with the Rams receiving yards props, Dr. Bob Sports provides the betting breakdown and analysis for running back Cam Akers to reach 16 receiving yards or more.
The odds are -115, and it’s okay to bet it up to 17.5 yards. Cincinnati’s defense allowed the 4th–most targets to opposing running backs this season, and coach Sean McVay should utilize the screen game more as well.
Akers is the best weapon, and he led the Rams running backs in yards per route run this year and in 2020. Cincinnati’s defense effectively dropped eight players into coverage in the AFC Championship Game at Kansas City, and Matt Stafford might have more check-downs than usual if the Bengals continue that strategy in this game.
Akers is projected to gain 26.0 receiving yards.
Enjoy the Super Bowl and all the added entertainment and props provided when betting on the Big Game.
