Earlier this week, we looked at the way-too-early odds for Super Bowl LVII, illuminating what it takes to make a valuable bet this far ahead of next season's big game. The exercise involved figuring out which teams' chances at a legendary season can improve before a game is played. The same principle applies to the regular-season MVP award, which is inextricably linked to a team's success.MVP oddsPLAYER ODDSJosh Allen+500Patrick Mahomes+600Aaron Rodgers+700Joe Burrow+1000Justin Herbert+1100Dak Prescott+1300Matthew Stafford+1300Kyler Murray+1600Russell Wilson+2000Lamar Jackson+2500Derrick Henry+3300Deebo Samuel+3300Jonathan Taylor+3300Deshaun Watson+3300Derek Carr+4000Kirk Cousins+4000Cooper Kupp+4000Ryan Tannehill+4000Jalen Hurts+5000Christian McCaffrey+5000Matt Ryan+5000Carson Wentz+5000*Odds longer than 50-1 not listedIn mid-February 2022, this is more about ruling out players to pick than finding a diamond in the rough. The super long shots will still be there come early August and when the games kick off in Week 1.The favoritesThe top three on the board are reasonably priced - Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are both capable of having their best seasons, while Aaron Rodgers can produce his usual. Joe Burrow's stock couldn't be any higher, so buying him at 10-1 isn't a sharp option.Justin Herbert +1100Part of betting an award requires a candidate to have been warmed up in the minds of the voters. Herbert's 2021 season was good enough to deserve the spotlight – had the Chargers been a more successful team. L.A. has enough room to improve, so a big year from Herbert in his third season would still provide enough of a leap to get voters' attention.Unless something drastic changes in the AFC West this offseason, there isn't any reason to put this bet in now. Something will inevitably happen with any of the other moving pieces in the NFL offseason that will throw attention away from Herbert and onto someone else.The mid-tier long shotsThis section contains players who could see their stock move up to the same level as Allen, Rodgers, and Burrow. No one in the 100-1 range is going to move up to 20-1, so we can wait on anyone we like there. However, the following two players could find themselves closer to +1000 if something happens between now and Labor Day.Russell Wilson +2000Have you heard that Wilson has never been awarded an MVP vote?Of course you have. Say what you want about the MVP award, but it's definitely not ageist. If Wilson moves from the Seahawks to a team with a better chance of contending, then he'll jump into the scrum atop the board. Worst case, he stays in Seattle and remains in the mix as he has in the previous five years he's stayed healthy.Lamar Jackson +2500Jackson feels like the forgotten man in the MVP mix. It wouldn't take much for the Ravens to get back on top of the AFC North, and if they're good enough to win that division, they're likely a contender for a top seed in the conference.When Jackson is at his best, he's shown an ability to carry the offense with both his arm and legs. His resume already includes an MVP award and he produced career-best passing efficiency last season before being beset by injuries.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.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Deshaun Watson has begun assessing potential landing spots for 2022, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.However, Watson, who has a no-trade clause, is reportedly still very early in his evaluation.The Houston Texans quarterback is apparently searching for the best combination of offensive system, coaching, and potential to win. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams on his radar, according to Fowler.Watson is facing lawsuits from 22 women who say he sexually assaulted them or committed sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Additionally, 10 women have filed criminal complaints against Watson. He's also under investigation by the NFL and could be subject to discipline under the league's personal conduct policy.Houston is expected to once again seek trade options for him this offseason, Fowler adds. Watson was a healthy scratch for the entire 2021 campaign.The Buccaneers are reportedly doing extensive research on Watson as a possible replacement for the retired Tom Brady.Texans head coach Lovie Smith previously told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that he'd like a resolution to Watson's standing with the team "as soon as possible."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zac Taylor has been rewarded for leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance.The Bengals extended Taylor's contract through the 2026 season, the team announced.Taylor was reportedly the NFL's lowest-paid head coach in 2021 and had just one more year left on his deal. Negotiating a new contract for the head coach after the postseason was reported to be a high priority for the Bengals.The 38-year-old joined Cincinnati in 2019. Although the club only totaled six wins during Taylor's first two years as its head coach, the Bengals went 10-7 last season and reached their first Super Bowl in 33 years. However, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 on Sunday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent running back Adrian Peterson won't face felony domestic violence charges stemming from his arrest Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport, a representative from the L.A. County district attorney's office told TMZ Sports.However, Peterson could still receive a misdemeanor domestic violence charge as his case has been referred to the L.A. City Attorney.Peterson and his wife, Ashley Brown, allegedly had a verbal and physical altercation on an aircraft before a flight to Houston, airport police said, according to NFL Media.He was released on a $50,000 bail on Sunday afternoon. Brown, meanwhile, remained on the flight to Houston."I was literally mind-blown that they took me to jail," Peterson told Fox 26 Sports on Monday."(We) got into an argument on the plane," he added. "That was pretty much the gist of it. I ended up grabbing her hand and taking her ring off her finger."Ashley defended her husband in an Instagram post Tuesday. She described the incident as a verbal argument and said: "At no point did Adrian hit or strike me."Peterson, who ranks fifth in NFL history with 14,918 career rushing yards, spent the 2021 season with the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Rams' victory in Super Bowl LVI makes it back-to-back seasons where a club that missed the playoffs the previous year added a Pro Bowl quarterback and proceeded to win a championship. Congratulations to those who bet on the Rams once the Matthew Stafford deal was made. As we look at the Super Bowl LVII market, even if we're expecting a similar situation to unfold again over the coming year, we don't have that information just yet.Super Bowl LVII oddsTEAMODDSBills+750Chiefs+800Rams+110049ers+1200Packers+1300Cowboys+1400Bengals+1600Ravens+2000Chargers+2000Titans+2000Broncos+2200Cardinals+2500Patriots+2500Colts+2800Buccaneers+2800Vikings+3300Eagles+3300Seahawks+3300Browns+4000Saints+4000Falcons+5000Panthers+5000Raiders+5000Dolphins+5000Steelers+5000Commanders+5000Bears+6600Giants+6600Jaguars+10000Jets+10000Lions+12500Texans+15000If you're looking for teams that are a quarterback away from contention, the Buccaneers, Colts, and Panthers all have holes to fill while boasting an otherwise ready-made roster. The Broncos have a prominent target to potentially fill that gap, with a new head coach coming from the Packers.The problem with backing a team like the Broncos is that you need two results to come through for the bet to win. First, they need to get the quarterback. This comes at an indeterminate probability, but one definitely shy of 100%.Even in the most optimistic case that Aaron Rodgers is 50/50 to follow Nathaniel Hackett to Denver, you need to win that coin flip before you can think about winning a Super Bowl bet. With the Broncos' current odds of +2200, it's basically a +100 and +1150 parlay prior to a transaction that brings Rodgers in.If you're more reasonable and think Rodgers landing in Denver is 25%, you're building an implied parlay that starts with Rodgers to the Broncos at +300. To get to their current odds of +2200, the second leg of that parlay is +575.Why would you want the Broncos at +575 to win the Super Bowl in the AFC West with a quarterback who's failed repeatedly in the playoffs? Now consider that he may never even find his way to Colorado. The assumption that a team will get a new quarterback is pure speculation, which needs to be factored into the odds of any bet you make.There are plenty of capable teams that already have a quarterback in place. The odds for clubs like the Ravens, Chargers, and Vikings aren't likely to see a drastic move. To even consider a bet that doesn't pay out until a year from now, you want a team listed at much longer odds.Pittsburgh Steelers +5000Let's do the math on the Steelers. They arguably have more talent than Denver but without the direct path to a high-level quarterback. Still, it makes sense for Pittsburgh to find an answer this offseason.If we give Pittsburgh the same 50/50 odds to get a championship-quality signal-caller, then we're looking at a +100/+2500 parlay. It's easier to swallow the Steelers at 25-1 with a big upgrade at quarterback. Their stable organization is a reasonable landing spot for even the most troubled quarterback.New York Giants +6600The Giants can make a massive leap without bettors first requiring any drastic assumptions. They're massively upgrading their head coach following the disaster that was Joe Judge. Under Brian Daboll, Daniel Jones will be given his best chance at success, assuming the incumbent remains the starter. The additions made before last season - Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay - will hopefully have better luck in the health department, and Saquon Barkley will be two years removed from his ACL tear.The biggest bump the Giants could get is from the draft, where they'll be picking twice inside the top 10. With a new general manager, it's possible two impact players will be added to the roster with the No. 5 and No. 7 picks.It's also not out of the question that a high-profile quarterback makes his way to New York. If Jared Goff and two first-round picks can be dealt for Stafford, what could the Giants get with Jones and their draft capital?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.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow won't require surgery on a knee injury suffered in Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Burrow will rehab the sprain, which shouldn't seriously affect his offseason, Rapoport adds.The Bengals quarterback was sacked seven times in Sunday's 23-20 loss and was under constant pressure from the Rams' defense. Burrow favored his knee following a fourth-quarter sack and managed to stay in the game.He was on the receiving end of 19 sacks during the Bengals' playoff run, setting a new NFL postseason record. Burrow was also taken down a league-leading 51 times in the regular season.The 25-year-old tore his ACL and MCL during his rookie campaign in 2020. He returned in 2021 to lead the Bengals to their first division title since 2015 and first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sean McVay hasn't guaranteed he'll be back to coach the Los Angeles Rams next season after their Super Bowl LVI victory."We'll see," McVay responded Monday when the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez asked whether he'd return in 2022.McVay's response contrasted what he said Saturday when he told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that he was "committed" to both coaching and the Rams amid rumors of his interest in becoming a TV analyst.The league's youngest bench boss explained Monday that he's living in the present following Los Angeles' win over the Cincinnati Bengals."I'm just enjoying this moment right now," McVay said, according to Hernandez. "I'm really happy to be a part of this. Happy for that."However, the 36-year-old also acknowledged his love for coaching and leading players like Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp."I think the biggest thing that drove me this year was doing it with people like him," McVay said. "That drives you. I love coaching. I'm just so excited about this moment right now."Speculation about McVay's future began last week when he spoke about prioritizing his family going forward. He reportedly was in line for an extension this offseason, with two more years left on his current deal.McVay has been one of the NFL's most successful coaches since taking the Rams job in 2017, posting a 55-26 record.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2021 campaign officially concluded, it's the ideal time to look ahead to one of the most exciting days on the NFL calendar.Below, theScore's Dane Belbeck and Dan Wilkins project how the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft could shake out.1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Evan Neal, OT, AlabamaThe Jaguars have to assess the offensive line after Trevor Lawrence spent most of his rookie season on his backside. New Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson grabs Neal, the massive 6-foot-7, 350-pounder from Alabama, for his first pick. Don't be fooled by Neal's substantial measurements - he's an incredibly athletic tackle who should be the cornerstone of the Jaguars line for years to come.2. Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, MichiganDetroit gets a significant boost to its pass rush with an in-state prospect who just may be the best player in this class. Hutchinson gives the Lions a foundational piece on the defensive side of the ball as their rebuild continues.3. Houston Texans - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyConventional wisdom goes against picking a safety this high, but Hamilton is such a versatile defender that the selection makes sense for the Texans. The Notre Dame star is a rare combination of size and athleticism, with his 6-foot-4 frame making him an incredibly versatile talent. The junior standout is exactly the type of player Lovie Smith will covet in his first draft as Houston head coach.4. New York Jets - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, OregonA high-upside pass-rusher with a case to go No. 1 overall falling all the way to No. 4? The Jets will take that. Thibodeaux's ceiling is as high as any defensive player in this draft, and if New York is going to succeed on that side of the ball, it all starts up front.5. New York Giants - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC StateMany draft analysts have Ekwonu graded as the best tackle of all prospects, and the Giants would be ecstatic if he's available at No. 5. New coach Brian Daboll's biggest task is sorting out Daniel Jones as the quarterback - and adding the NC State standout to a line that struggled last year will help immensely in that area.6. Carolina Panthers - Kenny Pickett, QB, PittThere's certainly risk involved in taking a quarterback this early since this year's class lacks any must-have prospects at the position, but those are the kinds of swings the Panthers need to take. Pickett might be their best bet at finally finding themselves another long-term starter under center.7. Giants (via CHI) - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIf Stingley were able to declare after his freshman season at LSU, he likely would have been a top-three selection in the draft. The star corner was inconsistent and hampered by injuries over the past two seasons, but there's no doubting he's one of the most talented players in the draft.8. Atlanta Falcons - Travon Walker, Edge, GeorgiaThe Falcons need to prioritize the defensive front this offseason, and staying local with national champion Georgia would be a good place to start. Walker is a three-down force with the versatility to line up and make an impact both on the edge and inside.9. Denver Broncos - Ahmad Gardner, CB, CincinnatiThe man known as "Sauce" will team with Patrick Surtain to give the Broncos an outstanding young cornerback duo. At 6-foot-3, Gardner presents matchup nightmares for most wide receivers and will be a crucial part of the Denver defense that faces Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr twice each next season.10. Jets (via SEA) - Trent McDuffie, CB, WashingtonAfter a major addition to the pass rush at No. 4, the Jets turn their attention to the defensive backfield with their second first-round pick, acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade. The latest in an increasingly long line of top cornerback talents from Washington, McDuffie gives New York a potential No. 1 cover man on the outside.11. Washington Commanders - Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWhile No. 11 seems too high for an interior offensive lineman, the impact Linderbaum can have at the center position makes this a strong pick for Washington. The Iowa product won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center last year and will immediately help boost a Commanders offense that ranked in the middle of the pack in rushing yards per game and near the bottom in sacks allowed.12. Minnesota Vikings - Treylon Burks, WR, ArkansasWith Adam Thielen's future uncertain, finding a long-term running mate for Justin Jefferson should be a priority. You won't find many with more upside than Burks, whose rare combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking ability after the catch make him a frustrating matchup for opposing defenses.13. Cleveland Browns - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio StateWilson stays in the state of Ohio by going from the Buckeyes in Columbus to the Browns in Cleveland. The 6-foot, 188-pounder is the most polished route-runner in the draft class and should pair with Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones to beef up the passing attack for Baker Mayfield.14. Baltimore Ravens - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern IowaThe offensive line stands out as a major need on an otherwise solid roster in Baltimore. Whether it's at right tackle or on the interior, Penning's powerful play style fits in nicely with the Ravens' run game.15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) - George Karlaftis, Edge, PurdueThe first of three picks for the Eagles in this draft sees them grab Karlaftis out of Purdue. While the Philadelphia line remains highly productive, both Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are in their 30s and will benefit from increased depth along the front. Karlaftis' ability to convert speed to power is among the best in the draft.16. Eagles (via IND) - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettyPhilly doubles down on the front seven with back-to-back picks, scooping up an outstanding linebacker who probably should be off the board well before this point. Dean does everything you could possibly ask of a three-down linebacker in today's NFL, making him a slam dunk for an Eagles defense that desperately needs to address that spot.17. Los Angeles Chargers - Jordan Davis, DT, GeorgiaThe Chargers are among the worst teams in the league at stopping the run, coming in 29th in yards allowed per rush attempt. They take a massive step towards fixing that - and we mean massive - in selecting the 6-foot-6, 340-pound Davis out of Georgia. The standout defensive tackle won the Outland Trophy as best interior lineman in the country last year in helping backstop the Bulldogs to the national title.18. New Orleans Saints - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio StateTaking a chance on a quarterback would be tempting here, but the Saints running it back with Jameis Winston seems more likely. Instead, New Orleans opts to bolster the receiver room. Olave brings some much-needed speed on the outside.19. Eagles - Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&MThe league's No. 1 rushing attack bolsters its offensive line with the athletic Green from Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder has played four of the five offensive line positions but should be a standout at guard for the Eagles.20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Charles Cross, OL, Mississippi State Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyHere's to guessing that the Steelers go the veteran quarterback route instead of reaching on a signal-caller in this draft. That would allow them to use their first-round pick on a player like Cross, who addresses a glaring need on the offensive line.21. New England Patriots - Devin Lloyd, LB, UtahLloyd is an incredibly versatile linebacker who also played on the edge for Utah last season. He's adept against the run but really shines in pass coverage with above-average ball skills at the position. Lloyd's ability to play all over the field is something that will certainly catch the eye of Bill Belichick.22. Las Vegas Raiders - Jameson Williams, WR, AlabamaThe Raiders offense needs a deep threat on the outside to reach its full potential. Patience is required as Williams recovers from tearing his ACL in the national title game, but the explosive Alabama receiver will be worth the wait.23. Arizona Cardinals - David Ojabo, Edge, MichiganWith Chandler Jones hitting free agency, Ojabo could be the next man up in Arizona. The Michigan standout is incredibly raw and will need some development, but he's an outstanding athlete and among the quickest edge rushers in the draft.24. Dallas Cowboys - Daxton Hill, S, Michigan Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter hitting a home run with Micah Parsons in last year's draft, the Cowboys find themselves just a few pieces away from fielding a top-flight defense. Upgrading the safety spot with a versatile talent like Hill would go a long way toward making that happen.25. Buffalo Bills - Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida StateThe Bills have one of the deepest and most complete rosters in the league, which allows them to take the best remaining player regardless of position at No. 25. That figures to be Johnson, the edge rusher who put up huge numbers after transferring to Florida State from Georgia.26. Tennessee Titans - Daniel Faalele, OT, MinnesotaFaalele is a mammoth offensive tackle who moves far better than you'd expect for someone checking in at 6-foot-9 and 380 pounds. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better candidate to fill the Titans' need at right tackle and bolster the offense's power run game.27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Matt Corral, QB, Ole MissWith Tom Brady finally retiring, it's time to turn the page at the quarterback position in Tampa. Enter Corral, who brings his energy and swagger to Florida after an impressive run at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is an excellent athlete who possesses a strong arm to get the ball down the field and could become a fan favorite with his ability to extend plays with his legs.28. Green Bay Packers - Drake London, WR, USC Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAaron Rodgers, provided he returns, would be thrilled with this kind of addition at receiver. And if the Packers can also figure out a way to bring back Davante Adams, London's size and contested-catch ability on the opposite would make this passing attack a nightmare to defend.29. Miami Dolphins (via SF) - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central MichiganAfter operating with the San Francisco 49ers' dominant offensive line the past few seasons, Mike McDaniel faces a big challenge in getting the Dolphins unit up to speed in his first season as head coach. He addresses that with his first selection, grabbing Raimann out of Central Michigan. The Austrian was initially a tight end who moved to tackle before his junior season with the Chippewas.30. Kansas City Chiefs - Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn StateWith Melvin Ingram headed to free agency, and Frank Clark's contract likely to cloud his future with the team, the Chiefs should search for long-term answers on the defensive front. Another explosive talent out of Penn State, Ebiketie could thrive as a situational edge rusher early on before settling into an expanded role.31. Cincinnati Bengals - Zion Johnson, OL, Boston CollegeDespite making the Super Bowl, the Bengals have a major need at the offensive line to protect Joe Burrow. Johnson impressed at the Senior Bowl after a very solid final season at Boston College.32. Lions (via LAR) - Malik Willis, QB, LibertyThe Lions play this class perfectly, landing a top defensive talent early on before circling back to get their quarterback at the end of the first round. Willis can sit behind Jared Goff and develop for a season before getting his chance to make the most of his impressive physical traits.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams scored a late touchdown to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI 23-20. Let's take a closer look at what went down.Rams stars shine in the end Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyLos Angeles constructed a championship-caliber roster by acquiring and leaning on pricey veterans. That strategy showed some cracks when Odell Beckham Jr. left the game after hurting his knee in the second quarter. With wideout Robert Woods and tight end Tyler Higbee already out with injuries, the Rams' depth was sorely tested. In the end, L.A.'s stars justified the wisdom of the team's approach.Quarterback Matthew Stafford, wideout Cooper Kupp, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald all came through with ginormous plays when the Rams needed them most in the last six minutes. And before he was injured, Beckham managed a pair of catches, including a terrific early touchdown.Stafford, acquired via trade from his decade-plus purgatory with the Detroit Lions to elevate this offense, completed 7 of 11 passes on that final drive. Four of those throws went to Kupp, and all four were caught, including the 1-yard TD that provided the final margin. One of those throws to Kupp was a phenomenal no-look toss where Stafford stared at Brycen Hopkins to freeze safety Vonn Bell. You'll be hearing about it forever, and rightfully so.Kupp, who wound up being named Super Bowl MVP, also picked up a first down by taking a jet-motion handoff for 7 yards on fourth-and-1 from the Rams' 30. For the game, he totaled eight catches for 92 yards and two TDs in addition to having another touchdown catch wiped out because of offsetting penalties.Whitworth, the 40-year old playing against his former team, was singled up against Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson all night. Hendrickson finished with a sack and four pressures, per Next Gen Stats, but that sack came early in the game, when running back Cam Akers mistakenly ran into Whitworth. But Stafford largely worked out of a clean pocket, particularly on that last drive to glory.And Donald? What more can be said about him? He was already one of the greatest interior defensive linemen in league history, and he managed seven pressures and two sacks on 40 pass rushes. The Bengals frequently doubled and sometimes even tripled him, but it didn't matter. When they singled him up on the game-deciding fourth-and-1 near midfield, Donald got to Joe Burrow one last time, forcing him to flail a pass that fell incomplete, ending the game."That's why we're world champs," Rams head coach Sean McVay said afterward, "because our best players stepped up in the biggest moments."These Rams were always defined by their star power. That same star power is what they will be remembered by, too.McVay finally gets aggressive when he has to FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / GettyAfter Beckham's injury, McVay oddly stayed with a strategy that clearly wasn't working: He kept trying to run the ball, particularly on first down, even though those plays weren't doing much and frequently put the Rams into difficult third downs.L.A. rushed 23 times for just 43 yards, and things were especially grim on first and second down: a minus-0.44 expected points added per play on rushes, with a 22% success rate, per Ben Baldwin's database. The Rams even had back-to-back possessions in the second half that began at their 47- and 48-yard lines; they went three-and-out on both.The Bengals were frequently bringing their linebackers down toward the line of scrimmage just before the snap, yet McVay kept going to the well, to no avail. Yes, Cincinnati was also shading a lot of coverage in Kupp's direction, but had the Rams lost this game, McVay's failure to adjust would have followed him, much like his failure to adapt to the way the New England Patriots crowded the line to shut the Rams down in Super Bowl LIII.Alas. On that crucial final drive, the Rams only attempted four runs, and all of them came in short-yardage situations. Stafford instead did everything to get the ball to Kupp as often as possible. It was a reputation-defining sequence for all involved.Bengals abandon quick game and it costs them Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe big mismatch the Bengals faced was their offensive line against the Rams' defensive front. In the first half, Cincinnati had the right approach to counter this: Burrow frequently got rid of the ball quickly. In the second half, not so much - and it proved to be costly.Per Next Gen Stats, Burrow's average time to throw after Cincy's first four possessions was a mere 2.19 seconds - much faster than even Ben Roethlisberger's regular-season mark of 2.38, which led the league. Cincinnati scored a field goal and a touchdown on two of those possessions, and Burrow - the NFL's most-sacked QB this year - took just one sack.All of that changed in the second half. Burrow held the ball much longer and paid the price. He wound up being pressured on 42.5% of his dropbacks and was hit 11 times for the game. He took six additional sacks in the second half. He tried to hang in the pocket on that last-gasp fourth down at the end of the game, but Donald got to him.Yes, Tyler Boyd had an enormous drop on a third down just before the Rams took over with 6:13 to go. But by largely abandoning the quick game - and by using play-action on just two of Burrow's 40 dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats - Cincinnati played right into the hands of L.A.'s ferocious defensive line.Bad officiating strikes again Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyFor most of the game, the officials went mostly unnoticed, which was a pleasant surprise. There were just three penalties called in the first half, and it was kind of refreshing to watch a Super Bowl that featured football players playing football. Then Ronald Torbert's crew asserted itself in all the worst ways.First, Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins wasn't flagged for grabbing Jalen Ramsey's facemask and flinging him aside on Higgins' 75-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the second half. Then came a rash of calls (plus a non-call) as the Rams neared the goal line on their final drive: a chintzy defensive holding penalty on Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on third-and-goal from the 8 - which wouldn't have happened were it not for a missed false start before the snap - along with an iffy pass interference call on Bengals corner Eli Apple.Strangely, after Kupp was hit in the head by Bell (who was rightly flagged), Kupp didn't undergo any kind of concussion evaluation. The league's concussion protocol mandates that a player who is "slow to get up from the ground or return to play following a hit to the head" - as Kupp was - is supposed to be checked for a possible head injury. That did not happen with Kupp. The concussion protocol doesn't apply in the final two minutes of the Super Bowl, apparently.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals might believe Kyler Murray needs to grow as a leader, but the quarterback sees no problem with his approach to the game.Murray issued a statement Monday defending his professionalism, seemingly responding to a report that some members of the Cardinals see him as self-centered, immature, and a finger-pointer."I play this game for the love of it, my teammates, everyone who has helped me get into this position that believed in me, and to win championships," he wrote in a Twitter post. "All of this nonsense is not what I'm about, never has been, never will be."Anyone who has ever stepped between those lines with me knows how hard I go. Love me or hate me, but I'm going to grow and get better."

Free-agent running back Adrian Peterson was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport on a charge of felony domestic violence, Los Angeles Airport Police confirmed to NFL Media.Peterson and his wife, Ashley Brown, had a verbal and physical altercation on an aircraft before a flight to Houston, airport police said.The 36-year-old Peterson was taken into custody while Brown stayed on the plane with the rest of the passengers.He was released from custody later Sunday after posting a $50,000 bond.A representative for Peterson and Brown provided a statement to TMZ: "Earlier today, Adrian and his wife Ashley had a verbal argument on a flight, and he was removed from the plane. This is a private misunderstanding between husband and wife, and we anticipate it will all be resolved shortly."Peterson had brief stints with the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks in the 2021 season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is believed to have torn his ACL in Super Bowl LVI, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Beckham had two receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown before exiting Sunday's contest in the second quarter.The three-time Pro Bowl wideout previously tore the ACL in his left knee during the 2020 season as a member of the Cleveland Browns.Beckham joined the Rams after the Browns released him in November. He signed a one-year, $1.25-million contract with L.A.The Louisiana native hauled in 27 catches for 305 yards to go along with five touchdowns during the regular season.Prior to the injury, the Super Bowl champions were reportedly optimistic about their chances of re-signing Beckham, who was poised to be one of the top free-agent wideouts.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are a lot of post-Super Bowl think pieces, features, and breakdowns the day after the big game. They're all great, I'm sure. However, in this space, the only thing that matters is the money. The Bengals covered +4.5, the Rams cashed their moneyline, and the under got home as we'd hoped. But from a betting perspective, there was more to Super Bowl LVI than that.Best betsCooper Kupp MVP (+600)The most valuable player in SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl LVI was Aaron Donald. He had two sacks on the scoresheet and the game-sealing play. However, this is an award voted on by human beings, and it was part of the handicap that Donald would have to go above and beyond in order to win MVP. We were rewarded in assuming that Kupp would get some extra credit for an amazing season.If Donald's game-ending rush had been some combination of a sack/forced fumble/recovery, his stat line would've been more attractive to voters. Instead, Kupp's stats - along with the game-winning touchdown and a critical fourth-down carry - ended up being shinier.Over 5.5 sacks (+105)Sometimes the most obvious bets are that easy. When this matchup was made two weeks ago, the instant reaction was the Rams' front seven would get to Joe Burrow. The sack total was set high at 5.5, but it didn't matter. Once the Bengals' suspect offensive line wilted, the Rams cleared the total on their own with seven takedowns.Worst betAnything to do with Cam AkersThe Rams' running game was surprisingly horrendous. Los Angeles tailbacks ran 19 times for 30 yards despite a seemingly advantageous matchup. We're singling out Akers because he was the featured runner in the prop market, but none of the Rams' three running backs had a hope against a Bengals defense that turned the narrative upside down like 50 Cent at halftime.Bad beatsOdell Beckham Jr. overs, 2+ touchdownsIf you had anything other than Beckham's anytime touchdown, you can feel aggrieved by his unfortunate non-contact injury in the second quarter. At that moment, Beckham was the early MVP of the game with 52 yards and a score. Needing just 15 more yards and three more catches to clear his prop totals, his overs seemed inevitable. A second touchdown was very much in the cards - a bet that would've paid +650. Beckham's injury was painful for all, and a string of bad beats resulted.Matthew Stafford under 5.5 rushing yardsThe sneakiest bad beat of Super Bowl LVI goes to Stafford's rushing yards. Forget for a moment the limited likelihood of an immobile Stafford lumbering for seven yards in the first quarter - his only scramble of the game. Part of the handicap for this bet was the idea that, as the quarterback of the favored team, Stafford may have some kneeling opportunities at the end of the game. Sure enough, with the Bengals' late turnover on downs, the Rams lined up in victory formation.Those of us with the under 5.5 needed one of two things:

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could lose his team if tanking allegations from former head coach Brian Flores are proven true by an NFL investigation, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Flores claimed in a lawsuit filed against the NFL, the Dolphins, and other clubs for alleged racial discrimination in hiring practices that Ross offered him $100,000 per loss during the 2019 season in an effort to secure a top draft pick.The NFL recently began its investigation, and if Flores' claims are proven, the consequences could be severe. Ross could lose his club via a vote by the NFL's other 31 owners, Rapoport adds.It would require at least 75% of owners to vote Ross out if it were to reach that point, Rapoport notes.Ross denied Flores' claims earlier this month, calling them "false, malicious, and defamatory." He also welcomed an NFL investigation into the matter.Flores was fired by the Dolphins in January after three seasons due to a reported power struggle. He posted a winning record in each of his last two years in Miami.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. left Sunday's 23-20 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI due to a non-contact left knee injury suffered in the second quarter.Beckham, who didn't return to the game after halftime, was officially ruled out for the remainder of the night during the third quarter.The Rams reportedly fear that Beckham tore his ACL on the play, according to MMQB's Albert Breer.The 29-year-old receiver suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in October 2020 as a member of the Cleveland Browns in a game versus the Bengals.Beckham, who joined the Rams midway through the 2021 campaign, caught two passes for 52 yards and one touchdown before exiting.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is hopeful his team will use the Super Bowl LVI loss as a source of motivation moving forward."We'll take this and let it fuel us for the next few years," Burrow said postgame, according to Bill Rabinowitz of the Dispatch.The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, spoiling Cincy's first Super Bowl appearance since 1989.Burrow and Co. got the ball back after L.A. took the lead with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter, but the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year couldn't put his team in scoring position before the final whistle."Disappointed in my performance overall. Thought I could have played better. You live, and you learn," added Burrow, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.The 25-year-old finished the night with 263 yards and one touchdown on 22-of-33 passing. The Rams also sacked him seven times.Burrow, who suffered a knee injury early in the fourth quarter, said leaving the game was never an option for him."I wasn't coming out," he said, per Amie Just of NOLA.com.Though Cincinnati fell short in Super Bowl LVI, Burrow put on a show throughout this season. The former first overall pick led the Bengals to their first AFC North title since 2015 and helped them win their first playoff game since the 1990 campaign."I'm still going to celebrate with the guys and reminisce on what we did all season," he said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead touchdown with 1:25 left as the Los Angeles Rams capped their roller-coaster season with a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.The Rams captured their first NFL championship since Super Bowl XXXIV. Cooper Kupp caught two touchdowns - including the deciding one - and took home MVP honors.Stafford threw the game-winning pass just over a year after the Rams acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions. He put up big numbers for 12 seasons in Detroit but never won a postseason game before coming to Los Angeles."It's an unbelievable feeling," the 34-year-old said after the game. "To be able to move in with this group and go to work with the special guys that we have on our team was amazing. They took me under their wing, showed me how it's done around here."Against the Bengals, Stafford threw for 283 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He engineered a 15-play drive in the fourth quarter to put his team on top after going cold in the middle portion of the game.The Rams also took down the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs en route to the title. They won seven of their first eight games in the regular season before running into a three-game skid that incited criticism and questions about their ability to fulfill their championship expectations.The star-studded Rams received big performances from many, including All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year pressured Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow into a fourth-down incompletion in the final minute to ice the result."I'm just so happy," Donald said. "I wanted this so bad. I dreamed this. I dreamed this. It's surreal. Look at this."Donald and edge rusher Von Miller, a midseason pickup from the Denver Broncos, sacked Burrow twice each. Altogether, L.A. sacked the Bengals quarterback a whopping seven times. Miller won his second championship after capturing Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos six years ago."When I first got here, we lost three straight," said Miller. "We were able to rally, went out on a streak, lost the last game of the season to a tough 49ers team, got to the playoffs, fought all the way through the playoffs. We had to fight to get the win here today, man. We have a team full of fighters."Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who joined the Rams shortly after Miller following his release from the Cleveland Browns, scored a touchdown before going down with a knee injury in the second quarter.The Bengals went into halftime down 13-10 but scored 10 points in the third quarter to surge ahead. They came up empty in the fourth quarter, though, ending their fairytale season in disappointing fashion.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is finally a Super Bowl champion, but he isn't ready to decide on his NFL future.Donald said he'll take some time to ponder retirement following the Rams' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini.Speculation that Donald could hang up the cleats if L.A. won the Super Bowl arose shortly before the game."He's big on legacy," NBC's Rodney Harrison said. "He doesn't want to be known as a defender that accomplished so many individual things and never won a Super Bowl."But he also told me this: If he wins a Super Bowl, there's a strong possibility he could walk away from the game and retire."Donald reiterated his intention to put his future to one side and relish the win during the postgame press conference."I'm just in the moment right now," he said, per Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star. "I'm gonna enjoy this with my teammates, my family."Donald put together a stellar performance in the Super Bowl victory. He racked up two sacks and sealed the win for the Rams by pressuring Joe Burrow on fourth down.“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games," Donald said.The defensive tackle will turn 31 years old in May and has two years remaining on his contract.

Cooper Kupp capped off his historic 2021 season in grand style.The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver was named MVP of Super Bowl LVI after catching the late game-winning touchdown in a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.Kupp finished the evening with eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. He also gained 7 yards on one rushing attempt, converting a crucial fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter on the play.The 28-year-old is the first receiver to win the award since Julian Edelman did it with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.Kupp, the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, became only the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to capture the receiving triple crown during the regular season. He led the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdown catches.The All-Pro pass-catcher also scored at least one touchdown in all four playoff games during the Rams' Super Bowl title run. He finished the postseason with six touchdown receptions, tying Jerry Rice (1988) for the second-most in a single postseason, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford also stood out, tossing for 283 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions on 26-of-40 passing. On the other side of the ball, Aaron Donald and Von Miller amassed two sacks each.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is in line for a new contract extension this offseason, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.McVay, who reportedly has two more years left on his deal, swatted away any concern over his long-term future Saturday, stating that he is "committed" to the Rams and coaching.The 36-year-old's longevity on the sideline was called into question earlier after he spoke about prioritizing his family amid reports he was considering working as a TV analyst."I know I love football, and I'm so invested in this thing, and I'm in the moment right now," McVay said Friday. "But at some point, too, if you said what do you want to be able to do? I want to be able to have a family, and I want to be able to spend time with them."Los Angeles will appear in its second Super Bowl in four years under McVay. After getting to the title game with quarterback Jared Goff in 2018, McVay and the Rams have made it to Super Bowl LVI with Matthew Stafford under center. Acquired in an offseason trade, Stafford has been a formidable match in McVay's offense, leading the club to 12-5 during his first campaign in L.A.McVay has compiled a 55-26 record in his five years as coach, with the Rams never finishing worse than 9-7. His offense has also ranked in the top ten in scoring during three of his five years as a bench boss.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kyler Murray is becoming exasperated with the Arizona Cardinals, and the club's blowout playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams left him feeling humiliated, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.The quarterback believes Arizona's framing him as the scapegoat for its trouble. However, members of the Cardinals have also described Murray as self-centered, immature, and a finger-pointer, according to Mortensen.Arizona is looking for Murray to improve as a leader with a focus on his maturity and on-field body language, among other traits, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Speculation about a frayed relationship between Murray and the organization grew rampant after the passer removed any Cardinals-related content from his social media.The Cardinals expressed excitement about moving forward with Murray in a response to Mortensen's report."Nothing has changed regarding our opinion and high regard for Kyler Murray. We, as a team, and Kyler, individually, have improved each year he's been in the league. We are excited to continue that improvement in 2022 and are excited that Kyler Murray is the quarterback leading us," the team said in a statement obtained by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Veteran players on the Cardinals intend to reach out to Murray while head coach Kliff Kingsbury is also doing a self-assessment to see where he can provide better help for his passer, Mortensen notes.Murray was regarded as an early MVP candidate this season after a 7-0 start. However, his campaign took a nosedive when he lost six of his last eight starts. The star quarterback was also without top wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who remained sidelined after Week 14.The 24-year-old struggled in the 34-11 wild-card loss to the Rams, completing just 55.9% of his passes for 137 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.Murray did not take the final snaps in the playoff loss as Colt McCoy finished the game, which irked some in the organization, Garafolo adds.Drafted first overall in 2019, Murray is eligible for a contract extension after playing three seasons. He has one more year left on his rookie deal, but the Cardinals can exercise a fifth-year option.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams will turn their attention to Matthew Stafford and Odell Beckham following Super Bowl LVI.Stafford and the Rams are expected to hammer out an extension in the offseason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The club is also very optimistic about their chances of re-signing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen.Stafford has led the Rams to the Super Bowl in his first season with the team. He's put up stellar numbers in Sean McVay's offense, tying a career-high with 41 touchdowns while also tallying 4,886 passing yards.The 34-year-old has one more year left on his contract and carries a $23-million cap hit for 2022, per Spotrac.Meanwhile, Beckham is poised to be one of the top free-agent wideouts this offseason after joining the Rams midseason.The 29-year-old has proved to be a productive receiving partner alongside Cooper Kupp following a season-ending injury to Robert Woods. Beckham amassed 305 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seven regular-season games with the Rams but has been especially impressive during L.A.'s playoff run to Super Bowl LVI; he's totaled 236 postseason yards ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.Beckham has expressed interest in remaining with the Rams and said earlier this week that he would leave money on the table to do so.However, veteran pass-rusher Von Miller is expected to explore free agency, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The Rams will enter the 2022 offseason approximately $8.8 million over the salary cap. They have significant resources already tied to the wide receiver position. Kupp is set to account for an $18.7-million cap hit while Woods' cap figure will be $15.7 million.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders are prepared to discuss a contract extension with quarterback Derek Carr to keep him with the club for the foreseeable future, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Carr, 30, is entering the final campaign of a five-year, $125-million contract. He's set to earn $19.7 million next season with a $22.1-million cap hit, according to Spotrac.The three-time Pro Bowler's future with the franchise reportedly hinged on the hirings of a new head coach and general manager. Las Vegas hired Carr's reported top choice for head coach - Josh McDaniels - in January. Under new general manager Dave Ziegler, the Raiders appear ready to re-commit to the veteran signal-caller.Carr could be a candidate for a short-term contract after receiving a near-market deal in 2017.The native of California led the Raiders to a 10-7 mark this past season, tallying 4,804 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 68% of his pass attempts in his eighth NFL campaign.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers intend to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo before the new league year begins on March 16, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Garoppolo has a no-trade clause that expires on that date, but Garafolo reports that Garoppolo and the 49ers are expected to work together to determine his next team.The 30-year-old passer has spent the last five seasons with the 49ers, leading them to Super Bowl LIV - which they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs - and the NFC Championship Game this past season. San Francisco acquired him in a 2017 trade with the New England Patriots.The native of Illinois is aware he'll likely soon be sporting a new uniform, highlighting his desire to join a competitor in his post-season exit interview."I just want to go with a place where they want to win," he said earlier in February.Garoppolo threw for 3,810 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 68.3% of his pass attempts in 2021.With Garoppolo reportedly on his way out, Trey Lance is the likely candidate to earn the starting job after San Francisco traded three first-round picks to acquire him in the 2021 NFL Draft.Garoppolo has a $26.9-million cap hit and is the final year of a 5-year, $137.5-million contract he signed in 2018, according to Spotrac.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals are rewarding head coach Zac Taylor for leading them to Super Bowl LVI.Cincinnati and Taylor will begin working on a contract extension following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Taylor has just one more year left on his contract and is currently the NFL's lowest-paid head coach, earning $3.75 million per year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Taylor has led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years this season. Cincinnati went 6-25-1 in its first two campaigns under Taylor, but the team broke out in 2021 with the emergence of quarterback Joe Burrow and wideout Ja'Marr Chase. Taylor's squad also captured the franchise's first division title since 2015 after going 10-7.The 38-year-old coach joined the Bengals in 2019 after previously serving as the Los Angeles Rams' quarterbacks coach. Taylor will take on his former side on Super Bowl Sunday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The relationship between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers appears to be in a better spot than it has been in quite a long time, and many involved hope he will choose to return, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.No one besides the four-time All-Pro passer knows for sure what he will do, and no one intends to rush him on a decision.Rodgers echoed those sentiments while collecting his fourth MVP award this past week at the NFL Honors ceremony, stating that he plans to take the next few weeks to make a choice."I've had good conversations with Green Bay," Rodgers said. "And I'll do some contemplating and make a decision here pretty quick."Rodgers' stance is a complete turnaround from last year when he questioned the direction and decision-making of the franchise. He also made public his distrust and frustration with the Packers front office before holding out of the team's offseason workouts and returning to the squad in training camp.After holding out for much of the last offseason, Rodgers negotiated a restructured contract with Green Bay that cut off the final year of his pact and voided it after the franchise tag window. The new deal would make the 38-year-old a free agent. There's also a verbal agreement between Rogers and the club to discuss a possible trade to a mutually agreed upon destination.If Rodgers decides to remain with the Packers, he will likely need to renegotiate his contract once again. Green Bay is willing to make Rodgers the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL on a per-year basis, but that would likely come in the form of a short-term deal with voidable years on the back end to provide cap flexibility. The Packers are likely to offer a two-year pact worth upwards of $45 million annually, according to Rapoport.Green Bay is in a $50 million deficit regarding its current salary cap situation, according to Over The Cap. Wide receiver Davante Adams and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell are among players set to hit free agency this offseason.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not completely shut the door on the possibility that quarterback Tom Brady could return for the 2022 season.Tampa Bay is willing to do whatever is necessary to facilitate Brady's comeback, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.Brady retired from the NFL after 22 seasons on Feb. 1, but the three-time MVP hinted at a return on the "Let's Go!" podcast last week, stating he would "never say never" about a potential comeback."At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now," he added.Brady, 44, led the league with 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in 2021. He was set to earn $10.4 million next season after signing a $44-million contract in 2021.If the seven-time Super Bowl passer remains retired, the Buccaneers will likely focus on acquiring a big name at the position via trade.Tampa Bay has been doing extensive research on Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and is one of multiple teams interested in the availability of Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson, sources told Pelissero and Rapoport. The Seahawks haven't indicated that they're listening to offers for Wilson.Watson, 26, and Wilson, 33, both have no-trade clauses and would need to agree to any deal.The Buccaneers are also likely to explore the free-agent quarterback market; with Blaine Gabbert poised to become a free agent this spring, Kyle Trask is set to be the only passer on Tampa Bay's roster.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay shut down speculation about his future Saturday, stating he won't step away from football after Super Bowl LVI."I'm committed to this team and coaching," McVay texted Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The speculation began after the 36-year-old left his future open-ended, saying he plans to prioritize spending time with his family. McVay reportedly considered working as a TV analyst as an alternative to coaching."I love this so much that it's such a passion, but I also know that what I've seen from some of my closest friends, whether it's coaches or even some of our players," McVay said Friday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "I'm gonna be married this summer. I want to have a family and I think being able to find that balance but also be able to give the time necessary. I have always had a dream about being able to be a father, and I can't predict the future, you know?"He added: "I don't really know. I know I love football, and I'm so invested in this thing, and I'm in the moment right now. But at some point, too, if you said what do you want to be able to do? I want to be able to have a family, and I want to be able to spend time with them."Others have temporarily halted their coaching careers to become TV analysts in the past. Jon Gruden worked for ESPN from 2009-17 after spending seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won Super Bowl XXXVII. He eventually returned to the NFL to coach the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018.McVay has established himself as one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds. Over five seasons with the Rams, he's posted a 55-26 regular-season record while helping Los Angeles make two Super Bowl appearances.The 2017 Coach of the Year will try to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Josh McDaniels is adding some familiar faces to his coaching staff in Las Vegas.The Raiders hired New England Patriots wide receivers coach Mick Lombardi to be their offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo is also being brought in for the same job in Las Vegas, Schefter adds. Bricillo, who's been an assistant in New England since 2019, helped make the Pats' blocking unit one of the NFL's best in 2021.Lombardi, 33, also joined New England in 2019. He served as an assistant quarterbacks coach in his first year before becoming the wide receivers coach in 2020. He's the son of former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi.McDaniels was named Raiders head coach this year after coordinating the Patriots' offense for 13 seasons over two different stints.Under offensive coordinator Greg Olson, the Raiders ranked 18th in points and 11th in yards in 2021. Olson had been with the team since 2018.

The relationship between the New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Michael Thomas seems to be on the right track again.New Orleans wants Thomas back for the 2022 campaign and doesn't plan to trade him, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Speculation regarding a potential trade surfaced last year due to issues between the star wideout and his coaching staff.Thomas wasn't available to begin the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who stepped away from football this year, said in July that Thomas should've had the procedure earlier.The 28-year-old reportedly ignored calls from his coaches for three months after they discovered he'd require surgery that would sideline him for at least the first month. He ultimately missed the entire year.Injuries also affected Thomas' 2020 campaign, limiting him to 40 receptions, 438 yards, and no touchdowns in seven appearances.The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year topped 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons after being drafted in the second round in 2016. He also set an all-time single-season record with 149 receptions and led the league with 1,725 receiving yards in 2019.A trade would save the Saints $15.8 million in cap space. They enter the 2022 offseason approximately $76 million over the salary cap, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski among the group of people who believe quarterback Tom Brady will return to the NFL."The guy can play at any age," Gronkowski said, according to USA Today's Josh Peters. "If he's 50 years old, he can still come back. I think he's going to come back but in a couple of years. The guy's a beast. He can play anytime."Brady, 44, announced his retirement from the sport on Feb. 1 after 22 seasons.The seven-time Super Bowl winner hung up his cleats after leading the NFL with 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns while completing 485 of his 719 pass attempts.However, Brady hinted at a possible comeback on the "Let's Go!" podcast earlier this week.Perhaps no player in the NFL can better speak about taking time away from football than the future Hall of Fame tight end. Gronkowski won four Super Bowls as one of Brady's most reliable receiving targets.Gronkowski initially retired from the NFL before the 2019 season but returned in 2020 to reunite with Brady in Tampa Bay.The 32-year-old has tallied 100 receptions for 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns since joining the Bucs. Over his 11-season career, Gronkowski has racked up 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns.While Gronkowski has an idea of what Brady will do in the future, he's not ready to decide on his own career just yet."I'll figure all that out in the future," he said. "Let everything play out, then make a move."Gronkowski is set to become a free agent after signing a one-year, $ 8-million contract last spring, per Spotrac.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The big game is finally upon us. Hopefully, you've already placed a large portion of your Super Bowl bets at the best of the number, but there are still many more bets to be made this weekend right up until kickoff.Find everything you need to know about betting Super Bowl LVI below.Super Bowl betting guideBefore reading about what you should be betting, you need to perfect how you should be betting the Super Bowl.So comb through our large buffet of picks and research after you familiarize yourself with our guide on how to approach Super Bowl betting.Game previewThis late in the season - and on such a big stage - the main betting markets are typically very sharp, offering little value to bettors.We still dove into the matchup to determine whether the side or total are worth betting. Spoiler: they are.Find out what that is in our game preview.Party timeSpruce up your viewing party with the ultimate Super Bowl LVI office pool!From the NFL fanatic to the blissfully ignorant, there's plenty to keep even the least interested viewers at your home/office watch party entertained from start to finish.The link will be updated with the answers after the game.Props, props, and more props!The expansive Super Bowl prop market can be overwhelming, but we've broken it down into bite-sized pieces for you.Main props

We've seen significant line movement with many game and prop markets up for close to two weeks already. A lot of our bets are useless to give out now with numbers long gone, but there's still value left to be found in the expansive prop market.Here are our best bets available to be made right now for Super Bowl LVI:C Jackson Cowart: Shortest TD under 1.5 yards (-139)My initial lean for this bet was "no touchback," but the value has mostly been sapped from that bet after oddsmakers came to their senses this week - with a little help from opportunistic bettors hammering "no" at plus money.One wager that still lags, though, is the shortest touchdown. The under was dealing at -160 a year ago and was still a screaming value at that price. So what are bookmakers thinking this time around?Since 1990, the shortest touchdown has been exactly one yard in 22 of 32 years, which would suggest a price of roughly -220 on the under. These two teams scored or allowed a short TD in 23 of 40 games (57.5%) ahead of Sunday, which is enough to justify a play here even without such strong Super Bowl precedent.Alex Moretto: Ja'Marr Chase under 80.5 receiving yards (-115)It was tough to narrow my card down to one bet, but at the current price, and given where other lines have moved, this is my favorite prop left on the board. I played it at 80.5, and it's still at 80.5, which I can't say about most others.This is a really high number for a player as volatile as Chase, and some monster games inflate it. Chase's average receiving total this season is 86.7, but that's pulled way up by those big performances. His median is actually 65. So he finishes well below 80.5 more often than not, but we are misled here by those 200-yard outliers. Chase has gone under this number in nine of his last 13 games.The reality is he'll be a focal point for the Rams secondary, with Jalen Ramsey likely to provide shadow coverage. When Chase avoids Ramsey, he'll get doubled. This is also a bad matchup for the Bengals passing game in general, as Joe Burrow's worst contests this season came against the four teams on their schedule - Bears, Browns, Chargers, Broncos - who employ the most two-high pre-snap looks. Well, the Rams lead the league in two-high looks.Chase topped out at 54 receiving yards in those four games and averaged 39.5. He's facing a tough matchup here while needing to surpass a yardage total well above his median on the season. This is a really strong play, and you can probably wait as close to kickoff as possible to bet it as his total should only rise as public money streams in on the over.Matt Russell: Rams first half -3 (-110), Matthew Stafford under 36.5 pass attempts (-110)I'm looking for a way to back the Rams, but without assuming the risk that Sean McVay's conservative attitude in the second half costs Los Angeles the cover. The first of two ways to accomplish that is the most obvious - just bet the Rams in the first half. However, with the point spread sitting at a flat -3, there's a strong chance for a push.Also, it's the Super Bowl, so it's not all that fun to have a bet decided in the first half, especially if it's a push. Betting the under on Matthew Stafford's pass attempts is equivalent to a full game bet on the Rams, but it removes a scenario in which McVay has run out of timeouts and looks lost in the fourth quarter, allowing the Bengals to backdoor the spread late. If L.A. does enough with a multi-dimensional offense and a dominant run game, it won't need to throw the ball close to 40 times. Even a late score by the Bengals won't stress Stafford, and the Rams run out the clock late.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After nearly two weeks of rhetoric and over a dozen articles breaking down the various Super Bowl LVI markets, it's time for what we've been building to - profitably - since we started putting our three prop bets together for Thursday Night Football.Speaking of iconic trios, after showing love to Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige in the conference championship round, we're left with the core three hip-hop headliners of Sunday's halftime show. If Dr. Dre is our reliable yardage prop winner and Snoop Dogg is guaranteed to score every time he appears, then Eminem has to be our long shot, based on his unlikely ascent from "8 Mile" to SoFi Stadium. As Snoop says in "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang," these are "Unfadable, so please don't try to fade this.""The $20 Sack Pyramid"I don't think Dre and company were referring to the Rams' front seven and the much-maligned Bengals' offensive line in the middle of the legendary album "The Chronic," but the possibility for sacks provides the extensive base for the game's handicap. It's just a matter of which angle you're willing to attack.You can "Lose Yourself" in the prop menu, but I think the Bengals' plan to manage this mismatch will be to have Joe Burrow throw quickly to their group of big-bodied targets. Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and C.J. Uzomah can consistently complete Burrow's throws, but unless there's a play that sees the Cincinnati protection hold up in conjunction with a Rams breakdown in the secondary, it'll be difficult for the Bengals' pass offense to create a big gain.Pick: Burrow longest pass completion under 38.5 yardsA TD that's definitely going to happenIt's not quite the lock that "California Love" being performed at halftime is, but Odell Beckham Jr.'s journey to Los Angeles isn't going to end with him being ignored in the end zone. Shut out in the previous two games, expect Matthew Stafford to look Beckham's way at least twice. In "The Next Episode" of a dramatic career that's seen Beckham in the spotlight at every turn - and at better than even money to score a touchdown - I'll bet he won't "Drop It Like It's Hot."Pick: Beckham anytime touchdown (+140)A TD that probably won't happen ... but maybe it doesRams rookie wide receiver Ben Skowronek was "Young, Wild & Free" when Stafford found him wide open in the end zone in the NFC Championship Game. Sure, the Northwestern product (by way of Notre Dame) dropped the ball, but with Tyler Higbee ruled out, Skowronek provides a big target in the red zone and may get a second chance to get lost behind a defense. At a big payout, let's try Skowronek to "Shake That" drop against the 49ers. If he does, it'll be "Up Jump tha Boogie" at the Super Bowl party.Pick: Skowronek anytime touchdown (+1200)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.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee will miss Super Bowl LVI due to a knee injury, but running back Darrell Henderson will return versus the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced Friday.The team placed Higbee and offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom on injured reserve while activating Henderson and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.Rams' injury statuses:PlayerPositionStatusTyler HigbeeTEOut (knee)Joseph NoteboomOLOut (chest)Darrell HendersonRBAvailable (knee)Sebastian Joseph-DayDTAvailable (pectoral)Higbee was injured against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game and failed to practice leading up to the Super Bowl. Kendall Blanton stepped up in his absence, catching five passes for 57 yards to surpass his regular-season totals.Higbee served as one of quarterback Matthew Stafford's security blankets throughout the campaign. He finished with 61 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns, adding nine catches for 115 yards in the playoffs.Henderson has been out since injuring his knee in Week 16. He was expected to miss three-to-five weeks. The 24-year-old ran for 688 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, leading Rams running backs with 4.6 yards per carry.The Rams have featured Cam Akers in the backfield since Henderson left the lineup. The sophomore returned early from a preseason Achilles tear and is averaging 2.8 yards per carry in the postseason. Sony Michel has also received touches, but he only has 78 yards on 24 carries in the playoffs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Odell Beckham Jr. is open to re-signing with the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason, even if it means accepting less money."Yeah, of course," Beckham said when asked about sacrificing money to stay with the Rams by Nick Shook of NFL.com."This place, it feels good in my heart. It feels like a home."Beckham, who is set to be a free agent this offseason, has been instrumental in the Rams' run to Super Bowl LVI since joining the team midseason. Emerging as a key target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, he's recorded 541 yards and six touchdowns across 10 total games with the club.The 29-year-old also expressed regret regarding his midseason release by the Cleveland Browns, which prompted his move to Los Angeles. Beckham and the Browns parted ways after his father released a video documenting missed and errant throws from his former quarterback Baker Mayfield."One of the biggest regrets that I have about the way things ended is I just didn't get ... it's like having a breakup, but there really was no closure, and it's kind of just like you go, that's just it," Beckham said.He added: "A lot of things were out of my control. By the time I woke up, the video was already posted. It just was unfortunate. Sometimes things go that way in life, and you just kind of got to roll with the punches. I just think about, here I am now and just making the most of the opportunity that I have."A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham will be looking to win the first Super Bowl of his career Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you haven't already filled your Super Bowl LVI props sheet with enough to keep you entertained, we've got you covered with a host of cross-sport props that'll hold your attention even after the big game is over.Here's our lean on every cross-sport prop offered at theScore Bet ahead of the Rams-Bengals clash on Sunday:(All events on Feb. 13 unless noted otherwise.)Total NHL goals vs. Joe Burrow completionsBETODDSTotal NHL goals +1.5EvenJoe Burrow completions -1.5-130The wrong side is favored here. Burrow’s total number of completions is the less volatile side of this wager, as he has a smaller range of outcomes. His line is currently set at 24.5, with the juice shaded toward the under. The likeliest number is 24 here, give or take a few completions. With the Burrow side favored by 1.5, that means there would have to be 22 or fewer goals - give or take - scored in Sunday’s four NHL games.On average this season there have been 6.1 goals scored per game, up from last season’s mark of 5.88. While the range of outcomes for each game is obviously wide, with there being four games we are still likelier to finish closer to the mean than if there was just one. That means, generally speaking, we should see 24.4 goals scored, or close to it.With the likeliest outcome for both sides being 24, the easy bet here is to take +1.5 at even money.Pick: Total NHL goals +1.5 (even)Iowa men's basketball points vs. Ja'Marr Chase receiving yardsBETODDSIowa men's basketball points -6.5-115Ja'Marr Chase receiving yards +6.5-115This is one of the harder bets on the board to back with any real confidence because both sides of the wager are so incredibly volatile. Chase averages 86.7 receiving yards per game, but he's recorded anywhere from three yards to 266 yards in his last seven games alone. Meanwhile, Iowa is a tick lower at 83.4 points per game, with totals ranging from 46 to 110.That latter score came on Thursday, when the Hawkeyes blitzed Maryland behind Jordan Bohannon's school-record 10 triples. He's been the engine for Iowa's fourth-ranked offense by adjusted efficiency, which KenPom projects to score 89 points on Sunday against a beleaguered Nebraska defense.Chase, meanwhile, is priced at just 80.5 yards at theScore Bet for Sunday's contest. He may struggle to even get there against a fierce Rams secondary, which can employ superstar corner Jalen Ramsey at a moment's notice if Chase becomes too big of a threat for the Bengals' passing game.Pick: Iowa men's basketball points -6.5 (-115)Penguins-Devils total goals vs. total touchdowns scoredBETODDSPenguins-Devils total goals +0.5-115Total touchdowns scored -0.5-115With Tristan Jarry expected to start for the Penguins after getting the night off Thursday, and Jon Gillies likely to start for the Devils, we can project a total of six for Sunday’s meeting. The current line for total touchdowns scored in the Super Bowl is 5.5, with the under more heavily juiced. So why is the total touchdowns side favored here?Regardless of how you think either the Penguins-Devils game or the Super Bowl plays out, there’s way too much value on the NHL total to pass up a bet here.Pick: Penguins-Devils total goals +0.5 (-115)Colorado State-Boise State men's basketball point differential vs. Rams-Bengals point differentialBETODDSColorado State-Boise State point differential +1.5EvenRams-Bengals point differential -1.5-130This is one of the most peculiar bets on the board, tasking bettors with handicapping whether either of these entirely unrelated events will result in a blowout.The line for Colorado State vs. Boise State will likely settle around Broncos -4, which gives an early edge to that side of the wager when compared to the spread for the Super Bowl (Rams -4). All four of these teams are familiar with close games, too: the Rams and Bengals have won by three points in each of the last two rounds, while both hoops squads have had their fair share of close encounters as of late.However, the nature of the NFL suggests the Super Bowl is far more likely to end in a 7-point margin (or even a 10- or 14-point margin) than a college basketball contest. Boise State's 16-point win on Saturday was its first result decided by more than seven points in its last seven games. Bank on a blowout in the big game.Pick: Rams-Bengals point differential -1.5 (-130)Liverpool total goals vs. Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford combined interceptionsBETODDSLiverpool total goals -0.5EvenBurrow + Stafford interceptions +0.5-130This is probably the toughest market to cap, with the margins being so small. Burrow and Stafford are both favored to throw an interception, but the odds of both throwing one are around 35%. The odds of either throwing two aren’t high, but it does push the projected interception total for the game up.Liverpool, meanwhile, are -400 favorites against Burnley with a total of three goals. The Reds are expected to score two goals and will do so most often if this game is played 100 times. The likeliest total for interceptions in this game is one, but one is only a little bit more likely than two. The lean here would be Liverpool’s total goals -0.5 (+100), but there’s really not an edge to be had for either side.Pick: PassCopyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrew Whitworth could see himself riding off into the sunset if the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI."What an unreal way to walk off," Whitworth said Friday when asked about retiring if the Rams win, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "I don't think there's anything else I would have to do."The 40-year-old has never captured a Lombardi Trophy over his 16-year career. His opportunity to win a championship Sunday will come against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent the first 11 years of his career.Whitworth was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year at the NFL honors event Thursday. The award is given to players who show excellence on the field and in the community.The veteran tackle has started 71 games for the Rams since signing with them in 2017.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The most obvious potential mismatch in Super Bowl LVI is the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line against the Los Angeles Rams' defensive front - and it's not close. The basic metrics look pretty grim.Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took a league-high 51 sacks during the regular season behind a line that ranked 30th in ESPN's pass block win rate. He was sacked a staggering nine times in a divisional-round win against the Tennessee Titans, and the Kansas City Chiefs pressured him on a whopping 40.5% of his dropbacks in the AFC title game, according to PFF. Jonah Williams, the Cincinnati O-lineman with PFF's highest pass-block grade, is ranked just 57th out of 136 players who qualify based on playing time.The Rams, meanwhile, led the league in pass rush win rate. Aaron Donald is one of the best interior defensive linemen in NFL history, but he's also one of four L.A. defenders - Von Miller, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and Leonard Floyd are the others - to have earned a pass-rush grade of 72 or higher this season from PFF, playoffs included.If Burrow winds up running for his life as Patrick Mahomes did in last year's Super Bowl, or if he constantly gets smashed like Cam Newton did in Super Bowl 50, you'll know why.But here's the thing: Burrow and the Bengals are in the Super Bowl, and they've made it this far by working around their pass-protection deficiencies. The pocket constantly seems to be collapsing around Burrow, but he's still managed to play with an uncommon coolness. And Cincinnati's entire offense has effectively counterpunched schematically when it's had to. The question is whether the Bengals can handle what the Rams can bring.Donald is a one-man game-wrecker. He not only led all interior linemen in beating his pass-rush blockers in less than 2.5 seconds, he did it five percentage points more frequently than anyone else (26%). Donald also saw more double teams than anybody - no matter where those pass rushers lined up - and it still didn't matter. His play is literally nearly off the charts. I mean, this almost looks fake:

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah is expected to play in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby.Uzomah suffered a knee injury early in the AFC championship win over the Kansas City Chiefs.The 28-year-old said Monday he would do "everything I can" to avoid missing the game."I don't really care too much about how I'm feeling, to be honest, when I'm out there," he said.Uzomah set career highs with 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's nothing like the Super Bowl.And in our latest bracket, you're going to pick the super-est of all Super Bowls as we get ready for Bengals versus Rams. Vote now and throughout the week!Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For my money, quarterback props correlate the most with how a game script plays out. If you can accurately handicap the matchup from a side or total perspective, you can probably predict the quarterback stats accurately. However, what most novice bettors fail to realize is that a positive game result for a quarterback's team is actually a detriment to their stats and vice versa.When we look at Joe Burrow and the Bengals' passing game for Super Bowl LVI, there's reason to like a handful of overs, but it's not because I think Cincinnati will win the championship. It's actually the opposite.Joe Burrow over 36.5 pass attempts (-110)Given the quality of the Rams' defense, both in their ability to rush the passer and hold opponents to less than four yards per carry on the ground, it's up to Burrow and Zac Taylor to overcome their biggest challenge of the playoffs on the offensive side of the ball.What that should mean isn't a conservative run-first approach, but instead, more formations that feature an empty backfield and instructions to Burrow to get the ball out of his hands quickly. The signal-caller should act as a point guard, distributing the ball to a roster of playmakers that should provide good matchups deep down Los Angeles' secondary depth chart.Will this work? Only time will tell. But rather than worry about yardage or completions in the prop market, I'll bet on Burrow to have the contest in his hands early and often, and what happens after the ball leaves those hands is irrelevant for our purposes.Joe Burrow under 39.5 longest pass completion (-110)If the strategy is to get the ball out quick, that should also mean that there won't be enough time for the Bengals to run deep routes over the top of the Rams' coverage. I don't expect big plays to be on the menu next to the guacamole on Sunday, as I wrote earlier this week, but like a good chip dip, I'm fine with Burrow moving the ball down the field in smaller increments and not only in large chunks. That hasn't been their modus operandi anyway since the rest of the NFL picked up on the danger of allowing Ja'Marr Chase to get deep down the field in single coverage.Joe Burrow passing yards (-109) over Matthew StaffordLet's say the new Comeback Player of the Year is playing from behind, and the short passing game is having a modicum of success. Burrow could start accumulating yardage like he did against the Titans and in come-from-behind games against the Chiefs (the first matchup), 49ers, and Chargers. Or Matthew Stafford might not need to air it out with help from his run game. This can win multiple ways.Joe Burrow over 349.5 passing yards (+400)Lastly, for a small price, you can back Burrow to play from a significant deficit in the second half or in a close back-and-forth contest at 4-to-1 odds. If the run game gets stifled, then it will be all Burrow, all the time. If L.A.'s pass rush gets to the second-year QB, like many think, it will only create more passing downs and extra yardage to pad the stats. In a game where Burrow may need to throw it 40 times, 8.75 yards per attempt is an easy accomplishment for a quarterback who averaged 8.9 YPA this season.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.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest.For fantasy managers looking to get a head start on the competition, here's the first look at our 2022 dynasty rookie rankings.Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values

As we discussed in our first look at the Super Bowl LVI MVP markets, there's a wide probability gap between Matthew Stafford's MVP odds and the Rams' moneyline. This disparity is relatively unusual for a team and quarterback favored to win the big game.That may act as a hint that the Rams can win without needing much in the way of Stafford heroics. Given the advantage their offensive line has against the Bengals' defensive line, which will be without a key piece in Larry Ogunjobi, it's a concept worth exploring in the prop markets.Matthew Stafford under 36.5 pass attempts (-110)Stafford is in a position that's more beneficial to his chances of winning the game than to his stat line because of his team's ground game. As much as the Rams have upgraded at quarterback this season, there's reason to believe Sean McVay would be thrilled with watching Stafford hand the ball off. After all, going back to the days of Todd Gurley, that's always how the Rams' offense has operated in peak form.Matthew Stafford first pass completion: over 10.5 yards (+105)Let's map out the Rams' first play:

With Super Bowl LVI nearly upon us, theScore's football editors look ahead to the 2022 season and predict the winner of every major award.Most Valuable Player David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyEDITORPREDICTIONJack BrownePatrick MahomesAlex ChippinJosh AllenHayley McGoldrickJosh AllenCaio MiariJustin HerbertDaniel ValenteJosh AllenMatt WashingtonPatrick MahomesDan WilkinsJustin HerbertDavid P. WoodsJosh AllenOur editors are clearly still reeling from the face-melting Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills playoff game, and who can blame them? Allen is leading our MVP voting with four ballots after he put together a near-perfect playoff run and reminded the NFL world of his peak, which can rival that of Mahomes. Meanwhile, the Chiefs quarterback received two votes - perhaps a response to an inconsistent 2021 regular season, by his standards. Notably, Aaron Rodgers didn't receive a single vote despite winning a second straight MVP award.Offensive Player of the YearEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneJa'Marr ChaseChippinJaylen WaddleMcGoldrickJa'Marr ChaseMiariDeebo SamuelValenteJaylen WaddleWashingtonDalvin CookWilkinsKyler MurrayWoodsJustin JeffersonThe 2022 campaign will apparently be the year of the receiver. No position in the NFL is as talent-rich and full of young stars. Chase and Waddle, our joint favorites for Offensive Player of the Year, burst onto the scene as rookies in 2021, and it's easy to see them taking their games to another level as sophomores. Samuel and Jefferson were among the few receivers who rivaled Chase in game-breaking plays this past season. The 49ers star, in particular, could be primed for a uniquely productive campaign after proving in the second half of 2021 he's equally dangerous running the ball.Defensive Player of the Year Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / GettyEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneNick BosaChippinNick BosaMcGoldrickNick BosaMiariAaron DonaldValenteMicah ParsonsWashingtonMyles GarrettWilkinsMyles GarrettWoodsMicah ParsonsBosa put together one of the quieter 15.5-sack seasons in recent memory. His dominance was even more impressive considering he was just 12 months removed from a torn ACL at the start of the campaign. With three votes in a highly competitive and pass-rusher-dominated field, we expect Bosa to get the love he deserves in 2022. Garrett and Parsons, who both finished in the top six in sacks in 2021, are seen as Bosa's biggest competition. Voter fatigue seems to have affected Donald's candidacy, while no one believes Defensive Player of the Year winner T.J. Watt can repeat his historic campaign.Coach of the YearEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneJohn HarbaughChippinArthur SmithMcGoldrickSean McDermottMiariSean McDermottValenteKevin O'ConnellWashingtonMike McDanielWilkinsBrandon StaleyWoodsBrian DabollFirst- and second-year head coaches often have the inside track to this award, and five of our eight editors went that way with their selection. Daboll could be an intriguing candidate considering the Giants won just four games in 2021. As a result, they have far more room for improvement than the Chargers (nine wins), Dolphins (nine), and Vikings (eight). McDermott is the only coach to receive multiple votes; it's not hard to imagine Buffalo pushing for a 13- or 14-win campaign with the fuel from its heart-breaking playoff exit.Comeback Player of the Year Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneChase YoungChippinMichael ThomasMcGoldrickChase YoungMiariCam AkersValenteMarcus PetersWashingtonChase YoungWilkinsMichael ThomasWoodsDerrick HenryThis past season was rife with injuries to star players, setting up an intriguing fight for Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. Young led the way with three votes. The pass-rusher looked like a star as a rookie in 2020 and should be close to full strength for the start of the campaign after tearing his ACL. Meanwhile, Thomas has barely played over the last two seasons after a record-setting 2019. The wideout replicating that level without Drew Brees or Sean Payton is questionable, but maybe our editors are banking on a change of scenery sparking his revival.Offensive Rookie of the YearEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneKenny PickettChippinDrake LondonMcGoldrickGarrett WilsonMiariKenneth WalkerValenteMatt CorralWashingtonTreylon BurksWilkinsChris OlaveWoodsTreylon BurksFor rookie awards, our voters leaned toward players they believe will succeed regardless of their landing spots. First-year receivers have been lighting up the NFL in recent years, so it's no surprise to see Burks, Olave, Wilson, and London dominating the ballot. Burks, who possesses a rare blend of size and speed, was the only player to receive more than one vote. Quarterbacks are usually favorites for this award thanks to their visibility. However, this upcoming class is viewed as the worst in a decade and has no clear franchise-caliber prospect.Defensive Rookie of the Year Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEDITORPREDICTIONBrowneKayvon ThibodeauxChippinNakobe DeanMcGoldrickKayvon ThibodeauxMiariKayvon ThibodeauxValenteDerek Stingley Jr.WashingtonNakobe DeanWilkinsKyle HamiltonWoodsNakobe DeanUnlike Offensive Rookie of the Year, the defense award has two candidates who our editors believe stand above the rest - former Oregon pass-rusher Thibodeaux and ex-Georgia linebacker Dean. It's easy to understand why. The uber-athletic Thibodeaux is in the running to be the first overall pick and is one of the most well-known players in a class that lacks stars. Dean will have teams looking at him as the potential next Micah Parsons thanks to his speed, versatility, and ability to rush the passer.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named the 2021 NFL MVP on Thursday.Rodgers becomes the first player to earn back-to-back MVPs since Peyton Manning did it in 2008 and 2009.The 38-year-old has now surpassed Tom Brady and Green Bay legend Brett Favre, among others, with his fourth MVP award. He trails only Manning, who won it five times.Rodgers thanked Packers president Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst, executive Russ Ball, head coach Matt LaFleur, and his teammates after winning the award. He dedicated it to the late Ted Thompson, who drafted Rodgers in 2005, and producer Maura Mandt.He took 39 of 50 votes to win the MVP honor. Brady finished runner-up with 10 votes, while Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp received one vote.After an offseason filled with uncertainty over his future in Green Bay, Rodgers threw 37 touchdowns to just four interceptions for a league-high 111.9 passer rating as the Packers finished with the NFC's top record.However, Rodgers and the Packers were unable to make noise in the postseason, losing in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.Rodgers once again said he will mull his future in the coming offseason, though he plans to come to a decision later this month. The Packers are reportedly cautiously optimistic about retaining their star passer after meeting with him following the playoff loss.He has played some of his best football over the last two seasons. Rodgers' 85 touchdowns lead all quarterbacks since 2020, while his 26 wins are tied for the most.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was named the NFL's 2021 Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday.Kupp ran away with the award, receiving 35 of 50 votes. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Kupp's biggest competitor, had 10 votes. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers received three and two votes, respectively.The 28-year-old Kupp enjoyed one of the greatest statistical campaigns in NFL history in 2021, as he led the league with 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdown receptions through 17 games. He became only the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to top the league in all three major receiving categories after Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), and Steve Smith (2005).Kupp's 1,947 yards and 145 receptions were second in NFL history to Calvin Johnson (1,964 yards in 2012) and Michael Thomas (149 catches in 2019), respectively.One of five unanimous All-Pro selections, Kupp recorded 11 games with at least 100 receiving yards, tying an NFL all-time high in the regular season.Taylor topped the league in scrimmage yards (2,171) and total touchdowns (20). The second-year pro also led all runners with 332 carries, 1,811 yards (5.5 per carry), and 18 scores on the ground.Though voters don't take playoff production into account, Kupp has extended his absurd production through the postseason. He's the first player to top 2,000 receiving yards combined in the regular season and playoffs while helping the Rams reach Super Bowl LVI.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Thursday at the NFL Honors award show.The group, which didn't feature any former players in the first year of eligibility, includes Richard Seymour, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Bryant Young, and Sam Mills.Cliff Branch (seniors category), Dick Vermeil (coaching category), and Art McNally (contributors category) also join the list.Richard SeymourDefensive lineman, New England Patriots-Oakland Raiders, 2001-12Seymour was a key member in the Patriots' first three titles of the Bill Belichick era. His versatility and dominance on the defensive line allowed him to play at a high level regardless of the system. Seymour earned five Pro Bowl berths with the Patriots before adding two more All-Star nods to his resume over four seasons with the Raiders. Seymour retired with 57.5 sacks and was selected to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.Tony BoselliOffensive tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001Boselli's career didn't last long, but he performed at an extremely high level during most of his pro years. The former second overall pick, who was chosen for the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team, made the Pro Bowl in five of the six seasons in which he played more than 10 games. Boselli made 90 starts at left tackle throughout his career.LeRoy ButlerSafety, Green Bay Packers, 1990-2001Butler's time has finally come. The Packers legend, who was the first player in NFL history to amass at least 20 career interceptions and sacks, had been a finalist for the Hall of Fame in each of the last three years. A key member of Green Bay's Super Bowl XXXI-winning team, Butler retired with four Pro Bowl and four All-Pro nods.Sam MillsLinebacker, New Orleans Saints-Carolina Panthers, 1986-1997Mills finally got the call after being a finalist the last three years. The Saints legend was an undrafted free agent but retired as a five-time Pro Bowler after helping make New Orleans' defense one of the NFL's best. In his prime, Mills was a key member of the Saints' acclaimed "Dome Patrol" defensive unit. He retired with 1,265 tackles.Bryant YoungDefensive lineman, San Francisco 49ers, 1994-2007Young had only been a finalist only twice in 10 years of eligibility, but his career was nothing short of spectacular. The former first-round pick, who was a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade team, earned four Pro Bowl berths and retired with 89.5 sacks. The 1999 Comeback Player of the Year also helped San Francisco win Super Bowl XXIX.Cliff Branch (seniors category)Wide receiver, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1972-86Branch was one of the most dangerous deep-ball threats of his era, and his big-play potential made him a key member of the Raiders in winning their three Super Bowl titles from 1976-83. The former fourth-round pick twice led the league in touchdown catches, and he retired with a whopping 17.3 yards per reception to go along with four Pro Bowl and three first-team All-Pro nods.Dick Vermeil (coaching category)Head coach, Philadelphia Eagles-St. Louis Rams-Kansas City Chiefs, 1976-82/1997-2005After a solid short stint in college football at UCLA, Vermeil took his knowledge to the NFL and significantly impacted all three teams he coached throughout his career. Overall, he posted a 120-109 regular-season record and guided the Eagles and Rams to a Super Bowl appearance, lifting the Lombardi Trophy with the latter.Art McNally (contributors category)McNally is considered "The Father of Modern Officiating" for a reason. He served as an NFL official for nine years (1959-67) before becoming a supervisor of officials, which he held until retiring for the first time in 1991. McNally is credited with bringing technology to NFL officiating, introducing an instant replay system to the league in the '80s.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans claimed the Coach of the Year award at the NFL Honors show Thursday.Vrabel guided the Titans to an AFC-best 12-5 record and the division title in 2021 despite a slew of injuries. Tennessee used 89 different players throughout the campaign, setting a new NFL single-season record.The most prominent absence the Vrabel-led Titans had to overcome was that of superstar running back Derrick Henry. He appeared in only eight regular-season games due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 8. Tennessee's offensive production dropped without Henry, but the team finished the season on a 6-3 run to clinch home-field advantage in the playoffs.The Titans' offense ranked 15th in points in 2021, while their defense was the sixth best in scoring.Vrabel, who owns a 41-24 regular-season record over four seasons in Tennessee, is the first Titans coach ever to win Coach of the Year.Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers was also a contender for the award after his team posted the league's best record (13-4) during the regular season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt took home the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors event Thursday.Watt tied Michael Strahan's single-season sack record this year with 22.5. He also notched a league-leading 21 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles."I feel like I'm just about to be entering the prime of my career and that's why more than ever, I just want to continue to find ways to get better at this game," Watt said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.Watt was announced the winner by his brother and three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner J.J. Watt. The Steelers linebacker received 42 of 50 votes from The Associated Press, with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons earning five votes and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald garnering three.This is Watt's first DPOY award, having placed third in 2019 and as the runner-up to Donald last year.Watt is the seventh Steelers player to earn the prestigious hardware, joining Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert, Rod Woodson, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu.Since entering the league in 2017, no player has recorded more sacks (72) or quarterback hits (150) than the Pittsburgh pass-rusher. Watt has hit double-digit sack totals in each of his last four seasons.Watt also has four Pro Bowl and three first-team All-Pro selections to his name.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.