C.J. Anderson SB53 Prop Predictions
C.J. Anderson emerged as the Rams’ leading rusher during the NFC Championship Game against the Saints and the journeyman running back has made a huge impact for L.A. since signing with the team late in the season. What’s the best Anderson-related prop bet for Super Bowl 53?
Game Snapshot
101 New England Patriots at 102 Los Angeles Rams
6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, February 3, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Patriots are 2.5-point favorites to beat the Rams. The total, meanwhile, sits at 56.5 points. As of this writing, 79% of the public betting tickets are on the Patriots to cover the point spread.
Player Snapshot
With injuries ravaging their running back depth, the Rams signed Anderson on December 18. He made a big play in Week 16 against the Cardinals, rushing for 167 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ 31-9 victory. He followed up that performance by rushing for 123 yards, 22 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in a 48-32 win against the 49ers. In 11 games (nine with the Panthers and two with the Rams), Anderson finished with 403 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 67 carries, good for a 6.0 yards-per-carry average.
C.J. Anderson Super Bowl Prop Predictions
With Gurley clearly not 100%, Anderson has made a significant impact for the Rams this postseason, rushing 39 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Gurley sat for most of the NFC title game against the Saints and Anderson wound up leading the Rams in rushing for 44 yards on 16 carries.
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Yards: O/U 44.5
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Yards on First Attempt: O/U 3.5
C.J. Anderson Longest Rush from Scrimmage: O/U 12.5
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Attempts: O/U 10.5
C.J. Anderson Total Receiving Yards on First Reception: O/U 4.5
C.J. Anderson Total Receptions: O/U 0.5
C.J. Anderson Total Receiving Yards: O/U 4.5
C.J. Anderson Longest Reception: O/U 4.5
C.J. Anderson Will he Score a FIRST HALF Touchdown: Yes (3/1); No (1/4)
Without knowing if Gurley’s knee will be strong enough to take on a full work load, it’s challenging to project Anderson’s usage in Super Bowl 53. That said, working on the premise that oddsmakers inflated Anderson’s prop bets given how he has become a feel-good story leading up to the Super Bowl, I’m taking the under on his rushing attempts and rushing yards. For as good as Anderson has been, Gurley is still the focal point of Sean McVay’s offense. If they’re going to upend the Patriots, Gurley will need to play a significant role in the win.
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Yards: Under 44.5
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Yards on First Attempt: Under 3.5
C.J. Anderson Total Rushing Attempts: Under 10.5