Super Bowl LVI defensive props: Looking for a long shot

Just because it's the Super Bowl doesn't mean the game will be a classic. In fact, some matchups make for ugly football. Could Super Bowl LVI be one of them?

This contest between the Bengals and Rams features a battle of head coaches who are very familiar with each other, as well as a fascinating duel in the trenches. Both factors increase the likelihood of a slow-moving game. If that's our line of thinking, we should look for prop bets that support that script.

Over 5.5 sacks (-115)

This is an easy bet to make, but one made harder to win in this game. Between the Bengals' inability to consistently protect Joe Burrow and the Rams' vaunted pass rush, this number has been bumped up from the standard total of 4.5.

That said, we're still playing the over because the Bengals can get to Matthew Stafford with Trey Hendrickson, who has 27.5 sacks in the last two seasons. Cincinnati corralled Patrick Mahomes four times in the AFC Championship Game, and like Mahomes, Stafford tends to want to hold on to the ball a little too long.

There's also a chance Burrow and Stafford are both are without their starting tight ends - a key outlet for each signal-caller when under pressure.

Vonn Bell interception (+820)

Bell had just one interception this season, but that's only one fewer than anyone else in a Bengals secondary with starters who regularly play 100% of the snaps. This is more about Stafford, who - to his statistical detriment - will give his receivers a chance to fight for deep balls.

That aggressiveness has seen many of Stafford's interceptions act as arm-punts when the opposition picks the ball off 40-plus yards down the field. The thinking here is that Stafford will trust Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. and test any defensive back at any time. Bell (+820) is being listed at longer odds than fellow safety Jessie Bates (+595) and cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (+690), Eli Apple (+690), and Mike Hilton (+595). With all of them equally likely to snag an interception, Bell is the one to target in hopes that Stafford heaves yet another gutsy toss down the field.

Rams defensive players for MVP

Pop quiz: What do Deion Sanders, Bill Callahan's inability to change the Raiders' signals after Jon Gruden left Oakland, and the "Legion of Boom" have in common?

They all resulted in a once-in-a-decade Super Bowl phenomenon - a defensive player winning MVP. Larry Brown (Super Bowl XXX) exploited the Steelers' desire to avoid throwing the ball at Sanders, Dexter Jackson stepped in front of the Rich Gannon throws that the Buccaneers knew were coming (Super Bowl XXXVII), and Malcolm Smith (Super Bowl XLVIII) had the ball find him when the Seahawks' legendary defense swarmed Peyton Manning for 60 minutes.

There were lots of Hall of Fame talents on those championship teams who didn't get MVP nods. The Rams have a pair of future gold jacket-wearers, too. But in a one-game scenario, Aaron Donald (+1600) and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller (+2000) can have a major impact in flummoxing Burrow without actually accumulating the counting stats that typically appeal to MVP voters - with the rest of the defense benefitting. In a single contest, the ball just needs to find you for glory.

Who's a candidate to have the ball fall into their lap, and how should we distribute a betting unit in an attempt to throw a net over L.A's potential defensive MVPs?

At 66-1 and 80-1, respectively, you're getting decent prices on Ramsey and Floyd, who are always around the ball. From there, we'll use Ramsey's counterparts, Williams and Long, as well as safeties Rapp and Scott to cover the secondary; perhaps Los Angeles can force Burrow into an errant throw and return it for a touchdown in a low-scoring game. If Rapp can't return, Weddle played all of the defensive snaps in the NFC Championship Game, and the veteran could be in the right spot at the right time if the Rams have a beat on Zac Taylor's offensive plan.

Reeder is the most likely linebacker to drop into coverage and could be standing in the way of a hot-route throw from Burrow, while Gaines has 4.5 sacks on the season. And with Donald drawing all the attention from Cincinnati's offensive line, he could be an unsung hero on the stat sheet.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.