With the Super Bowl just a few days away, let’s look at some NFL betting props that might go under the radar a bit – and could bring you some money as a result. The two starting tailbacks are Cam Akers for the Rams and Joe Mixon for the Bengals. Earlier in the week, we talked about putting some money down on Sony Michel to lead the game in rushing because of his solid performance while Akers was injured. In this article, we provide advice on props regarding Mixon and Akers.
NFL News: Super Bowl Running Back Prop Bets
Cam Akers Over/Under 63.5 Rushing Yards
Cam Akers returned for the postseason after missing the 2021 regular season with injury, and Rams fans were excited about the jolt he would give the offense. Well, the jolt was not quite as significant as they expected. In three playoff games, he had 54 carries for 151 yards, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. The Rams turned to Sony Michel, and once the team fell behind, the team also turned to the passing game.
In those three games, Akers never ran for more than 55 yards in any performance, so this rushing yard total seems high. I would take the under because of his prior performance and also because of Michel’s emergence and the possibility that the Rams might need the passing game late if they have to come back again.
Cam Akers Over/Under 16.5 Rushing Attempts
I am also taking the “under” here, even though Akers went over this number in the wild card and divisional playoff games. It seems like the Rams have figured out that Akers is not quite at 100% yet, so they are not only giving the ball to Michel more, but they are also passing the ball. Akers only had 13 carries against San Francisco in the NFC Championship. Take the under, but do not put down as much money as you did on the yardage prop, because the room for leverage is not as great, comparing the yardage total difference with the difference available with the number of carries.
Joe Mixon Over/Under 62.5 Rushing Yards
In three playoff games, Mixon only broke this total once, and that came in the AFC Championship in Kansas City. In the fourth quarter and overtime, Mixon pounded the ball over and over, and the Chiefs’ defense was extremely soft in its response to run blocking and in its tackling of Mixon. He actually ran for 88 yards against the Chiefs, keeping the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands on a scoring drive in the fourth quarter and pushing the Bengals’ offense relentlessly closer to field goal range. I’m not sure if the Rams’ defense will break late like the Chiefs’ did, and the Rams did not allow much in the way of rushing to the 49ers in the fourth quarter. Take the under.
Joe Mixon Over/Under 3.5 Receptions
Against Kansas City in Week 17, Mixon had seven catches, but the Chiefs held him to three in the AFC Championship. He caught six passes out of the backfield in Tennessee and four against the Raiders. Joe Burrow had more time in the pocket against Kansas City than he did against Tennessee, as the Titans sacked him nine times. So he obviously was looking to check down more to his closer options, and Mixon was there to catch those passes out of the backfield. The Rams will provide more pressure on Burrow than what the Chiefs delivered, which should mean that Mixon gets more touches through the air. Take the over.
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