Rams vs. Bengals 2022 Super Bowl 56 odds: Los Angeles touchdown pass favored as game's first score, but field goal has been money of late

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for a career-high 41 touchdown passes during the regular season and Cincinnati Bengals counterpart Joe Burrow set a career high as well with 34 TD throws. Thus, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that a Rams touchdown pass (+325; and it doesn't have to be from Stafford) and Bengals TD pass (+375; ditto from Burrow) are the two favorites to be the first scoring play of Sunday's Super Bowl 56. However, a field goal by either team at +400 might be the wise bet.

Each of the past four Super Bowls have seen a field goal as the first score, two by the favored team and two by the underdog. Last year in Tampa, it was a 49-yarder by Kansas City's Harrison Butker. The last Super Bowl that didn't open with a field goal as the initial score was Patriots-Falcons in 51 when Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman scored on a 5-yard TD scamper early in the second quarter.

The most recent Super Bowl with a passing TD as the first score was 49 between the Patriots and Seahawks, a Tom Brady 11-yard toss to Brandon LaFell in the second quarter.

Either a Rams or Bengals rushing TD as the first score is +500 for Sunday. In two of the three Rams' playoff games, the first score of the game was a Stafford TD pass. In the other, a field goal by Matt Gay. He is the +375 individual favorite to score the game's first points.

The first score in Cincinnati's first two playoff games was a field goal: From the Raiders' Daniel Carlson in the Wild-Card Round and from the Bengals' Evan McPherson in the Divisional Round at Tennessee. McPherson is the +400 second favorite for the first points Sunday. In the AFC title game, the first score was a Patrick Mahomes TD pass.

The long shot for the first score is what it always is: A safety by either team at +4500. The last safety was in SB 48 between the Broncos and Seahawks and it was the first score.

Bettors can also wager on what the first touchdown scored will be: Passing is -175 and any other type at +145. That's an interesting price on other considering you not only get rushing but defense and special teams. 

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