NFL Odds & Betting

Super Bowl LVI is set.

The Cincinnati Bengals pulled off an improbable comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams scraped by the NFC West foe San Francisco 49ers to earn a chance at the sport's largest prize.

The Rams opened as 4.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, which is an even bigger advantage than they had hosting the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. While the game will be played at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, the ticket distribution will—at least theoretically—not favor either side.

Early money seems to indicate bettors feel the line was too favorable on the Rams' side. The Bengals are currently listed at -115 to cover the 4.5-point spread, meaning the line could soon drop to four points if action keeps pouring in.

Cincinnati enters the Super Bowl with a 13-7 record against the spread, the NFL's third-best winning percentage. By contrast, the Rams are an even .500 against the spread this season.

Taking the Bengals moneyline currently pays out at +165 versus -195 for the Rams. 

If you're looking for hints regarding the 49.5-point total number, good luck. The Rams are 10-9-1 hitting the over (seventh in NFL) and the Bengals are 8-12 (tied for 28th), making the overall odds slightly favor the under but not by much. It's worth noting only two of the six total games for the Rams and Bengals in these playoffs would have hit a 49.5-point over.

There are few clues we can pick up from recent Super Bowls, either. Six of the last 10 Super Bowls have hit over 49.5 points, making the difference a negligible one game. 

In a nutshell: This is not going to be an easy Super Bowl from a betting perspective. Early money on the Bengals suggests the line was set a half-point or full point too high, but they're also generating a ton of public support due to their rabid fanbase that's finally getting a winner and Joe Burrow's burgeoning star power. 

Underlying numbers suggest the Rams are a better team. They're certainly more experienced, with the front office pushing their chips to the middle of the table to build a veteran-laden roster designed to win now. The Bengals are two years ahead of even their most optimistic expectations. 

The Rams are a deserving favorite, but those were the same words uttered heading into the AFC Championship Game before Kansas City fell apart in the second half. 

If you're willing to take slightly worse odds—and are a Same Game Parlay fiend—bumping the line up to Bengals +7.5 and the under to 56.5 points would pay out at +115 and seem like a safe bet. 

For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers is now the betting favorite to win a second straight MVP award, according to DraftKings:

Tom Brady had been the favorite until he struggled during Sunday's 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback turned it over twice while failing to throw a touchdown pass for just the second time all season.

It's the first time Brady's team has been shut out since 2006 when he played for the New England Patriots.

Meanwhile, Rodgers threw three touchdown passes Sunday as the Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens, 31-30. 

The Packers (11-3) now have the best record in the NFL, while the Buccaneers dropped to 10-4 with their loss to the Saints.

Rodgers won his third career MVP award in 2020 when he led the league in passer rating (121.5) and passing touchdowns (48) while only throwing five interceptions. He remains efficient in 2021 with a league-best 110.4 rating to go with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Brady still remains a top contender for the award, however. He leads the league with 36 passing touchdowns and 4,348 passing yards. Even after being shut out in Week 15, the Buccaneers still have the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes also remains in the conversation after leading the Kansas City Chiefs to seven straight wins. Though his 13 interceptions have been a problem, his 30 passing touchdowns are hard to ignore, and the Chiefs (10-4) currently have the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

Matthew Stafford is red-hot as well with nine touchdown passes in his last three games and a league-high 67.4 QBR. He will try to move the Los Angeles Rams (9-4) one step closer to the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. 

Jonathan Taylor is the outlier in the list as the only running back in the conversation. The Indianapolis Colts star has 1,518 rushing yards on the season, over 400 more than anyone else in the league, while his 19 touchdowns also lead the NFL.

Adrian Peterson is the last running back to win MVP in 2012, but Taylor has a strong argument as a key reason the Colts (8-6) are even in playoff contention.    

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN). 21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.