Super Bowl week is finally here, and, after a pretty fantastic NFL postseason that’s seen everything from surprise retirements to crazy comebacks to family controversies, it all comes down to the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s hard to think of very many people outside of Rams and Bengals fans who legitimately believed either team would be in the mix for a Lombardi Trophy going into the playoffs. Despite that, both teams managed to prove their doubters wrong and overcome some tough challenges to be just one win away from being on top of the football world.
Don’t let my previous assessment of both teams and their supposed Super Bowl chances fool you, though; they are both insanely talented. The Rams pack a powerful punch on the offensive end, as quarterback Matthew Stafford has proven what he can do with a capable, supporting cast and Cooper Kupp has established himself as the best receiver in football. Odell Beckham Jr., despite whatever controversy he brings with him, has been solid in a supporting role in the offense, snagging 19 catches for 236 yards this postseason.
The Rams defense, meanwhile, possesses quite possibly the best defensive player in the game in defensive end Aaron Donald and a potent duo of pass rushers in Leonard Floyd and future Hall-of-Famer Von Miller. The group will look to feast upon the Bengals and their particularly weak offensive line.
It would be a mistake to sleep on the Bengals, though. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, they were able to get by a hot Las Vegas Raiders team that had won four straight games headed into the playoffs in the Wild Card round. After that, the Bengals scored victories over the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round, and the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship to make it to their first Super Bowl since 1988.
Burrow has been the x-factor piece for this team, though he’s received help from an explosive receiving unit that is led by rookie Ja’Marr Chase (who, coincidentally, was my only good draft pick in fantasy football this year). Defensively, the Bengals may not have one of the top groups in the league, but they’ve still made the big plays when it has mattered, particularly in the secondary, most recently stifling Patrick Mahomes in the second half and overtime of the AFC Championship.
When looking at the team to pick here, I think both sides make solid cases. The Rams have the star power and, perhaps, the more complete team. The Bengals have been the ultimate sleeper team, though, doing exactly what’s needed to dismantle the seasons of three very capable opponents so far in the playoffs, so betting against them is extremely hard to do now.
With that said, I look at the Rams roster, and I see very few holes. When looking at the battle in the trenches, I also see plenty of opportunities for the Rams to set the tone and take advantage of Cincinnati’s weaknesses along the offensive line. Then, when you look at the battle that the Bengals secondary is in store for, it’s hard to say with confidence that they’ll be the ones to contain Cooper Kupp.
Overall, I think that we’re in for a really exciting game here. There’s a lot to like from both sides, but on the biggest stage in football, I feel like going with the safer pick here. That pick is the Los Angeles Rams, whom I’ll take to win the Lombardi by a score of 31-27.
Photo courtesy of LA Rams Instagram