SB LVI Bengals receiving props: How to bet a star-studded group

If you listen to some prognosticators leading up to Super Bowl LVI, you'd think Joe Burrow should expect to spend the better part of Sunday either lying flat on his back or running for his life. However, if we know the Bengals may be overmatched in pass protection, so does Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati coaching staff.

When searching for viable prop plays for the Bengals' receivers, we'll factor in how both teams might adjust to the potential on-field matchups.

Ja'Marr Chase under 79.5 receiving yards (-110)

Jalen Ramsey has gained a reputation for much of his career as a shutdown corner despite not traveling around the field following an opponent's top receiver. This season, under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, the Rams have been more apt to put Ramsey wherever he's deemed most useful, depending on the opponent.

Ja'Marr Chase's rookie season started with highlight-reel plays catching numerous attention-grabbing deep balls. Since then, though, the long bombs have subsided, but Chase has shown an uncanny ability to fend off smaller defenders to win at the point of the catch.

Ramsey has already admitted that he's asked the Rams' coaches for this matchup during the game-planning phase. He'll be the most physical defensive back Chase will have faced in this early stage of his career because the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Ramsey is arguably the most physically imposing corner in the game.

With Chase now getting attention over the top from defenses and tough matchups on intermediate jump ball-style throws down the sideline, look for Burrow to either throw to Chase via shorter targets or look elsewhere. Both will result in a depressed yardage total for Burrow's favorite target since their days at LSU.

Tee Higgins over 5.5 receptions (+110)

Chase will be the wide receiver the Rams focus on slowing down, but he's not the only one who can do damage. If Ramsey sees as much of Chase as the cornerback hopes, that leaves the 6-foot-4 Tee Higgins matched against either Darious Williams (5-foot-9) or David Long (5-foot-11) in man-to-man situations.

If the Bengals can't use their top receiving tight end C.J. Uzomah, look for Higgins to be the prime big body target underneath for Burrow. With the much-maligned Cincinnati offensive line having to deal with the Rams' defensive front, the expectation should be that the Bengals' staff drilled into their quarterback that he needs to get the ball out early. Higgins will be the beneficiary of that and, in situations where he draws Ramsey, has the size to box him out on slants and crossing routes.

Samaje Perine over 8.5 receiving yards (-110)

It's easy to assume that sacks will come due to the Rams' vaunted front-seven giving Burrow fits, but there's more to it than that. The Bengals may opt to spread out the Rams, going with a five-wide approach more than usual. That would see a running back lined up outside in most cases.

Samaje Perine averaged 12 receiving yards per game this season, and he scored on a screen in the AFC championship. It may take just one catch, but I believe he'll grab at least two pressure-relieving throws from Burrow and clear this yardage total relatively easily. I especially think he'll top this total if Burrow is sacked often and finds himself in a few third-and-long situations, where Perine is the primary tailback. The 26-year-old running back recorded half his receptions this season on third down.

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.

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