There are plenty of prop bets and straight up betting opportunities to help you make the most of your NFL Championship Sunday, but the over-under is a way to pick up some easy cash and, for some reason, the books were generous with this one. The NFC Championship between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints currently sits an an over-under of 56.5.
Can they beat it or will this be the rare time when both teams struggle to find their offensive footing? This is what we’re looking at.
Related: NFL Betting Guide
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Kickoff: 3:05 p.m. EST
Spread: Saints -3
Over/Under: 56.5
An interesting note about the spread. Since the week began, it’s actually moved down a point after opening at Saints -3.5. I predicted as much in my Monday article. The Rams are apparently, as of this writing, getting most of the action. Plenty of that is based on a dominating performance by Los Angeles over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round. There’s also a little hesitation on New Orleans’ side since they really had their hands full with the Philadelphia Eagles.
But that’s the spread. When it comes to the over-under, it doesn’t matter who wins. All that matters is the total points scored and 56.5 is a lot of points. It’s as high as 57 some places. It’s also interesting to note that the AFC title game is also looking at a huge point total — 55.5.
One down.
Sounds of the Game: NFC Championship bound! pic.twitter.com/GjScrLx2Bm
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 17, 2019
Only one game out of the four played last week would have hit either of these numbers and it was the New England Patriots vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. Those two teams combined to score 69 points. The highest total in any of the other three games was 52, in the Rams-Cowboys matchup and even that number was hit thanks to a Dallas touchdown with two minutes to go that was all but meaningless.
When the Rams and Saints met back in November, they combined to score 80 points. New Orleans won, 45-35, and there’s an argument to be made that they could pretty much match that total in this game. Let me pump the breaks on that.
The Rams hit 30 or more points six times over their final eight games. The Saints did it four times. To hit the over, you need both these teams to flirt with 30 and at least one to probably surpass it.
Chiefs: 35.3 PPG
Rams: 32.9
Saints: 31.5
Pats: 27.3Sunday should be fun 🍿 pic.twitter.com/xQz6Y6Qk5b
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 18, 2019
New Orleans’ receiving corps is depleted and the Rams will absolutely use a run-first, ball control offense like they did against the Cowboys if they can get away with it. This game could easily end up 30-24 and you’d lose the over.
Here’s the thing. It’s the NFC Championship and these are probably the two best teams in the NFL. Certainly the team that comes out of this game will likely be favored by at least a field goal in the Super Bowl. It’s all going in the gameplan this week. This is a kitchen sink game and I’d be shocked if both teams didn’t crack at least 30 points. Frankly, so would they. I say go with the over and bank on Sean McVay and Sean Payton putting on a show.
