Rams vs. Bengals: The best field goal prop bets for Super Bowl LVI

Most of the attention in pre-game build-up for Super Bowl LVI will focus on the quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and perhaps even some defensive standouts. But the place kickers always play an important but understated role in football, and that should hold true when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Let’s turn our attention to the multitude of field goal props we have available for Super Bowl LVI, and highlight our three favorite sides.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Total Successful Field Goals by Bengals: Over/Under 1.5

Evan McPherson should get his fair share of chances for three points in Super Bowl LVI.

“Money Mac” has been dialed in this postseason, going 12-for-12 on field goals – including three 50-yarders – and 3-for-3 on extra points. The rookie from Florida was about as automatic as it gets during the regular season, going 28-for-33 (84.8%) on field goals, and 46-for-48 on extra points.

If backed into a fourth-and-long, head coach Zac Taylor should be confident in his decision to send out McPherson from anywhere inside 50 yards.

NFL pick: Over (-125)

Total Successful Field Goals by the Rams (2nd Half): Over/Under 0.5

Rams place kicker Matt Gay has been a little off so far this postseason – he missed only two field goals the entire regular season, but is just 7-for-9 through three playoff games. However, both of those missed kicks were from distance, including a 50-yard attempt that went awry.

Gay is still a trusted weapon in head coach Sean McVay’s arsenal, so don’t be surprised to see him potentially try to expand the Rams’ lead in the second half with a three-pointer.

NFL pick: Over (-159)

Total Yards of Shortest Successful Field Goal: Over/Under 27.5 yards

A 27-yard field goal attempt would take place from about the 10-yard line, a place where fewer and fewer NFL decision-makers are settling for three points these days. With two young head coaches patrolling the sidelines in McVay and Taylor, it’s very likely that the analytics will be heeded, and that more aggressive measures will be taken on offense when that close to the goal.

It also helps that neither defense was an elite unit this year when it came to making stops in the red zone. L.A. was 12th in opponent touchdown percentage in the red zone this year (54.1%), while Cincinnati was 16th (56.1%).

NFL pick: Over (-112)