One of the most important terms in horse racing betting is past performance. Every horseplayer on the planet knows what the term means. But past performance doesn’t just matter when bettors handicap a horse race. Past performance is also important when finding winners against the spread or on the moneyline in every sport. Super Bowl 56 on Sunday is no different.

In horse racing, it’s important to know how well an equine has raced in the past. It’s also important to know how well a horse has raced over a specific track, and under certain conditions like the distance of the race and the race’s surface.

After studying overall past performance indicators, horseplayers use two to three key races to determine how well the equine will run in today’s race. In sports betting, trends provide excellent past performance information that helps us determine what might happen in the game we’re handicapping. But like a horseplayer looking at key races, sports bettors must look at key games to help them handicap the upcoming contest.

See below for why past performance is a good indicator of how both the Rams and the Bengals will perform before we discuss the top four past performance games to use to handicap this Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Top Four Past Performance Games for Super Bowl 56

READ MORE: Using Past Performance to Predict Super Bowl Winners

1. Cincinnati’s victory over the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round

The best race horses are flexible. They can win from off the pace. They can win by taking the lead. They listen to their jockey and do what the jockey tells them to do.

In Cincinnati’s 19-16 win against the Titans, the Bengals proved they’re flexible. Joe Burrow didn’t throw a TD pass and the Bengals still won. More importantly, Cincinnati’s defense allowed the Titans to rush for 140 yards, but Tennessee scored just 16 points. The game proves Cincinnati’s flexibility, which means the Bengals can switch it up, play in a defensive struggle, and still win.

2. The Los Angeles Rams victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round

Front runners in horse racing are very difficult to beat. The same goes for front runners in football games. The Rams rushed out to a 20-3 halftime lead over the Buccaneers. Tom Brady rallied Tampa in his final NFL game to get within 3, but that was all he could do. A horseplayer would say the Rams got to the wire before Brady and the Bucs could get up for the win.

3. The Bengals’ win against the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season

Only the very best horses break badly, spot the field 10 lengths, and then rally to win. Cincinnati provided such a performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

At one point in the first half, the Bengals were down by 18 points. All Cincinnati did was rally to outscore the Chiefs 21-3 the rest of the way. Then in overtime, the Bengals picked off Patrick Mahomes and kicked a game winning field goal.

4. The Rams’ NFC Championship win versus the San Francisco 49ers

Horses develop rivalries over the track. The best horses find ways to beat their rivals. Easy Goer finally beat Sunday Silence in the 1989 Belmont Stakes after losing the Derby and Preakness. The Rams finally managed to beat the 49ers in the NFC Championship. Beating their most hated rival should provide the Rams the confidence they require to win Super Bowl 56.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2022 NFL Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.