- Since 1991, 44% of Super Bowls have started with a run while 55% started with a pass.
- Joe Mixon and Cam Akers have each averaged 18 carries per game in the 2021 playoffs.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals have each started their playoff games with more passes than runs.
Through research from the last 29 Super Bowls, 13 of the first offensive plays were a run (44%) and 16 of the last 29 were passes (55%).
Odds For First Super Bowl Offensive Play
- Rush -140
- Pass +110
However, the Super Bowl 56 odds are in support of a run being first despite the data being different.
Rams, Bengals In The Playoffs
Joe Burrow threw an attempted pass as the first offensive play for the Bengals in the Wildcard and the Divisional round. They gave the ball off to Mixon to start the Conference Championship game.
The Rams first offensive play of the Wildcard round game was a run with Sony Michel. The divisional and conference games both started with a throw from Matthew Stafford to Odell Beckham Jr.
Joe Mixon averaged 17 carries a game in the regular season and 18 throughout the playoffs.
The Rams running back efficiency is slightly more complex on the season. Star running back Cam Akers was injured before the start of the season and only had 5 carries before the season ended. He has made a comeback with an average of 18 carries per game in the 2021 playoffs.
The Rams also have Sony Michel who has averaged 12 carries per game on the season.
Pass First Mindset
Those who support a pass-first mentality also have their backing. Mathew Stafford has attempted over 35 passes a game in the regular season while Burrow is right behind (30).
While both quarterbacks can play it carefully and hand the ball off, there is always pressure on Super Bowl quarterbacks as they try to make their name in history.
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Ben has been an avid sports fan his whole life and mostly follows football and basketball, both professional and collegiate. He is finishing his Editing, Writing, and Media Degree at Florida State University, with a minor in Business. Diving into the world of sports betting, he is ecstatic to work in an area that has combined his two passions of sports and writing.