Sometimes in sports you witness things that at first, you simply can’t believe. That happened to me this weekend, as I saw the Cincinnati Bengals make the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988/89 season. This Bengals team won two games in 2019. Matthew Stafford sat in football purgatory, a.k.a the Detroit Lions, for 12 years. He was traded to the Rams on January 30th, 2021. On January 30th, 2022, he sent his new team to their second Super Bowl appearance in four years. The football gods work in mysterious ways. Enough talk. Let’s get into it.
The case for the Los Angeles Rams
Even though they lost both games to the San Fransisco 49ers this season, they took care of business when it mattered most. The Rams sent the Niners home this past Sunday to become the second team in NFL history to host a Super Bowl (Buccaneers 2020). Now, they try to become the second team in league history to win a “home” Super Bowl. Matthew Stafford has had himself a year. Even though he’s tied for the league lead in interceptions (17), he managed to end the regular season with 41 passing touchdowns and 4,886 passing yards. He has shown up to the fullest extent on this playoff run, throwing for 905 passing yards, six touchdowns and only one interception. Stafford is surrounded by weapons on this offense. Sony Michel and Cam Akers round out a versatile backfield while Odell Beckham Jr., Cooper Kupp & Van Jefferson complete a solid receiving corps. The offensive line is integral to the success of this Rams team, as they allowed the 7th least sacks this year. Tyler Higbee and Darrell Henderson are both recovering from sprained MCL’s and their game-day status is still up in the air. The defense is just as good, maybe even better. The front seven is highlighted by three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald, Von Miller & Leonard Floyd. These three will attempt to take advantage of a very porous Bengals offensive line who allowed the third most sacks in the league this year. Jalen Ramsey is the lockdown corner on the outside and will look to put a stop to this potent Bengals passing attack.
The Rams will win this game if they do two things and do them at a high level. They need to get to Joe Burrow and they need to get to him early. Setting the tone for the game is something that is priceless in the NFL. Clearly this Bengals team has shown it can come back from deficits (see 21-3) and if the Rams don’t want that to happen they need to set the tone early. Come out firing off the line and hit Burrow whenever they get the chance. The second thing they need to do is win the turnover battle. In the last two victories for the Bengals they have forced five turnovers, with all of them being interceptions. Stafford needs to find his best targets and take care of the ball and the Rams will have a very good chance of bringing home the Lombardi Trophy.
The case for the Cincinnati Bengals
First off, they have Joe Shiesty. So that’s an automatic boost of their chances to win. However, let me give you some more elaborate reasons to why the Cincinnati Bengals are here. They have beaten the Kansas City Chiefs twice, the number one seed Tennessee Titans away & have taken the ball away seven times this postseason. They are the definition of grit. The Bengals finished the season with the fifth best rush defense in the league and they showed why when they held Derrick Henry to only 62 yards on 20 carries. Trey Hendrickson, a free-agent addition from New Orleans, recorded his second double-digit sack season in a row as he finished fifth in the league with 14. Larry Ogunjobi came in from division rivals Cleveland and racked up seven sacks of his own before a season-ending injury in the wild-card game against the Raiders. They put up some serious money to lock up on the outside with Mike Hilton (four years, $24 million), Chidobe Awuzie (three years, $21.75 million) & Eli Apple (one year, $1.2 million). And after starting the season with a 5-4 record the Bengals switched into fifth gear, winning five of their last eight. Although Joe Burrow doesn’t have the greatest offensive line, he’s still surrounded by talent. Joe Mixon finished third in the league with rushing yards (1,205) while Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins became the first receiving duo under 23 to finish the season with each recording over 1,000 receiving yards. Burrow himself wasn’t too shabby either, finishing with just over 4,600 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. He’ll be facing a tough test in this Rams defense but the nickname “Joe Cool” isn’t for nothing.
Here’s how the Bengals can win their first ever Lombardi Trophy. Protect Joe Burrow. That’s a lot easier said than done, especially against this Rams front seven, but it will be key for this team to have a chance. After allowing nine sacks against the Titans in the divisional round, the unit tightened up against the Chiefs by only allowing one sack the whole game. If they can duplicate that performance against this Rams defense, Joe will be smiling from ear-to-ear in that pocket. Another way they can run away with this victory is if they win the big-play battle. Like I mentioned earlier, setting the tone in a Super Bowl is extremely important. Stretch the field early with either Chase or Higgins to get the offense flowing. Make the Rams panic early maybe by going no-huddle to start out the game. Control the pace and you’ll win the race. *insert Funk Flex*
MY PREDICTION
The 56th Super Bowl is arguably one of the most surprising we’ve ever been apart of as fans. And for me, it’s the first matchup since the 2010 Packers and Steelers where I am truly impartial to whoever wins. A lot of players that I like have a chance at getting their first ring. Obviously Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, but then there’s Jalen Ramsey, Odell Beckham & Aaron Donald. You can genuinely argue that this is the best NFL season that we’ve ever seen. I’m sad we are near the end, but I’m excited to see what happens. It all comes down to one game at SoFi Stadium. Who will take home the Lombardi Trophy? *drum roll please*…
The Cincinnati Bengals. They are a team of destiny. Cincinnati, Ohio will finally get their first Super Bowl victory. Why not? Joe Shiesty has shown he can do it at any time and to anyone. Everybody can get the work. Their defense stepped up big time when it mattered the most (seven turnovers forced this postseason) and their offense is lethal. Don’t be surprised when you see Evan McPherson send the game-winning kick flying through the uprights. At this point, how can I even pick against them. #WhoDey
Final Score: Bengals 28, Rams 25
