The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles are ready to meet in an unlikely matchup at SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl 56. The Rams had full intentions of going to the Super Bowl after trading for Matthew Stafford. It was go to the Super Bowl and win or bust for the Rams.
They have completed the first goal, but that’s only half of what the Rams expected when they acquired Stafford. The Rams were in Super Bowl 53 against the New England Patriots in 2019. The Rams landed in the Super Bowl with Jared Goff at quarterback, so getting to this point is not a win.
The organization believed that a change at quarterback was required to win the Super Bowl. Stafford arrived in a deal with the Detroit Lions to give the Rams a better opportunity to win a championship. This isn’t all Stafford, he’s on a well-rounded team with talent, but his presence has made a difference.
For a team expected to get this point and one of the Super Bowl favorites, no surprise to see the Rams in Super Bowl 56. However, the same can’t be said for the Bengals, who had some of the longest odds to win the Super Bowl. Second-year quarterback, Joe Burrow, was expected to see improvement, but maybe not to this extent.
Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford had different paths in getting to Super Bowl LVI ? pic.twitter.com/yloGV6zh5G
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 7, 2022
In just his second season, the confident and unflappable Burrow is in the Super Bowl. Did he do it all alone? No. The Bengals have a team with talent on both sides of the ball, including quality weapons for Burrow. However, they aren’t getting here with Andy Dalton at the controls.
Super Bowl MVP betting is one of the best value prop bets that you can find on the Super Bowl. This isn’t just a quarterback award, but they have won the award in 31 of 55 Super Bowls for 56.3% of the time.
The last two were quarterbacks, with Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Also, note that four of the last five MVP winners have been quarterbacks.
Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., and Ja’Marr Chase all appear like potential winners that carry good value and aren’t quarterbacks. Let’s get into the best bet on the Super Bowl MVP below.
Super Bowl MVP Betting Prop Bet
Matthew Stafford Super Bowl 56 MVP
From the basement of the NFL in Detroit with the Lions to Super Bowl MVP? The most likely player to win the MVP is the quarterback of the winning team of the Super Bowl. The Rams are the favorites to win Super Bowl, currently as 4-point favorites at Bovada.
No surprise if that’s the scenario that plays out on Super Sunday. Matthew Stafford passed for 4,886 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions on 67.2% completions in his first season outside of Detroit.
"I was excited about the opportunity to come to Los Angeles."
Matthew Stafford reflects on the offseason trade that landed him on the @RamsNFL.
?: #SBOpeningNight live on NFL Twitter pic.twitter.com/k94160ZW9G
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2022
Stafford has been sharp through the playoffs with 905 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He nearly made a massive mistake against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, but Jaquiski Tartt failed to come down with a ball that hit him right in the numbers.
He’s avoided the big mistake and will have to do it again in Super Bowl 56. The Bengals’ defense has been much improved as the season has progressed, but they are dealing with a lot of talent in this one.
Before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looked drunk before halftime, they were humming against the Bengals. The Bengals were 26th in the NFL, with 248.4 passing yards allowed per game. Don’t expect the Rams’ offense to make the same mistakes and not make adjustments.
Stafford is one of my favorite bets to win the Super Bowl. It’s most likely that the quarterback from the winning team will win the MVP. The Rams are -185 to win the Super bowl, and you are getting +125 for good value on Stafford in Super Bowl 56. His teammate might just have slightly better value, though.
Joe Burrow Super Bowl 56 MVP
Joe Burrow had a magical season as a sophomore in the NFL. He looked like a ten-year veteran commanding the Bengals’ offense this season.
The 25-year-old passed for 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 70.4% completions.
Joe Burrow has a chance to make history ?
(h/t @MattBrownCFB) pic.twitter.com/4XJStvFlv3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 31, 2022
In his first appearance in the playoffs, Burrow is only a game away from winning the Super Bowl. He is the first quarterback selected No. 1 in the draft to head to the Super Bowl in his first two years.
Don’t expect Burrow to get flustered. He has looked cool and collected in his first postseason. Burrow has passed for 842 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions going into SoFi Stadium.
If the Bengals need a clutch drive in the 4th quarter, Burrow will not get overwhelmed by the moment despite his inexperience. That goes a long way for the people voting on the Super Bowl MVP.
Do you like the Bengals to win the Super Bowl? Burrow makes a lot of sense for your MVP bet then. Your Super Bowl MVP betting card probably has to include Burrow on your card.
Cooper Kupp Super Bowl 56 MVP
Cooper Kupp was a machine for the Rams this season. He came just short of breaking Calvin Johnson’s NFL receiving record, in one more game mind you. He collected everything thrown his way from Stafford.
Cooper Kupp has 2,333 receiving yards this season including playoffs.
That’s over 350 more than the next guy (Larry Fitzgerald in 2008).
Both did it in 20 games. pic.twitter.com/moSOba8g8d
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 31, 2022
Kupp recorded 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns on 13.4 yards per reception. He’s been Mr. Dependable for Stafford and has been doing it again in the playoffs. Kupp is doing it again in the playoffs, as he has 25 receptions, 386 yards, and 4 touchdowns.
In the NFC Championship, Kupp beat a good 49ers’ defense for 11 receptions, 142 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He is going to find room in the Bengals’ secondary in this one and record big numbers.
Kupp may not win the NFL MVP award for the regular season even though he might deserve it, but his Super Bowl MVP value looks too good to pass over without considering. Stafford could have a big game, but the best value is on his favorite target in Super Bowl 56.
Super Bowl MVP Betting Prediction
When I look to bet on the Super Bowl MVP, I seek the best value on the board. How about getting +600 on a player who is a member of the favorite in the Super Bowl, and in consideration for the regular season MVP award?
Cooper Kupp had a special campaign that can’t be understated. He plays on a team with a lot of talent, but still manages to outshine the rest of the offense. If Stafford needs a big play, he will be looking at Kupp first in the Super Bowl.
Kupp continued to excel in the playoffs, and it’s unlikely that he hits the brakes in the biggest game of his career. Stafford will get the ball to Kupp, and he’ll pile up the receptions and yards. The committee looking at the Super Bowl MVP won’t be able to ignore Kupp.
For the value alone, Kupp has to be worth a look in Super Bowl 56. It’s highly unlikely we see the Super Bowl MVP from the losing team, and with the Rams at -185 to win, Kupp at +600 is a big value at SoFi Stadium.
