Following what has been an explosive and exciting series of NFL playoffs games, perhaps maybe ever, the final participants for Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles are set. In one corner are the AFC champions, the upstart Cincinnati Bengals. In the other corner, are the kings of the NFC, the imposing Los Angeles Rams. Perhaps a matchup that many did not see coming, the winner of this game is anyone’s guess.
Nonetheless, the SBS team has their thoughts on what makes each team special and what a final score could look like from SoFi Stadium. Read on to see who will take home the Lombardi Trophy in 2022.
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On Offense:
The Bengals have lived and died with their sensational second-year quarterback Joe Burrow and he is also the engine of their whole team. During the 2021 postseason, Burrow has been clutch time and again with an average of 290 passing yards per game and four touchdown throws. What’s important about Burrow is his ability to not only lead the locker room but also his ability to take care of the football-only one interception in the postseason.
For the skill positions, the Bengals feature an electric tandem in wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and running back Joe Mixon. The former has averaged nearly 93 yards per game and is a consistent game-breaker for the Cincy offense. Meanwhile, Mixon is a top running back in the league and has quietly been able to keep the chains moving for the Bengals. If Cincinnati is going to have a big day against the Rams, they need to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers on a consistent basis.
In addition to their offensive playmakers, the Bengals also have the luxury of having an elite kicker on their side in Evan McPherson. Known as “Kickpherson,” the Florida product made all four of his field goals in the AFC Championship win over the Chiefs and has been marvelous during the postseason.
On Defense:
Though the Bengals offense certainly has its fair share of star power, the defense features a stout unit that is capable of hanging with high-powered offenses. Linebacker Germaine Pratt leads the way with 30 tackles in the postseason and the unit has been able to amass eight sacks over the course of three games. However, this is the weak spot for the Bengals and they will need their unit to generate some turnovers if they hope to win in Los Angeles against the Rams.
On Offense:
The NFC West champions, Los Angeles have had a strong postseason led by quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford has thrown for 905 yards and six touchdowns during the course of the postseason, good for a sensational 115.6 quarterback rating. He will be relied on heavily again as his rapport with All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp is perhaps the best in the league. The ground game for the Rams is more underwhelming though as running back Cam Akers has had fumbling issues (two lost fumbles) since his return from an Achilles injury.
On Defense:
Where they could be a distinct advantage in the game, is the star power that the Rams defense has over the Bengals. Led by all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Los Angeles boasts a slew of talented stars both young and old. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has the ability to lock down any receiver and will have his hands full with Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest of the Cincy receiving corps. While the Rams certainly have stars, they are susceptible to strong quarterback play as evidenced by their shootout win over the Tampa Bay Bucs in the divisional round, 30-27.
Prediction: The last time the Bengals faced a team from Los Angeles, they ran out of gas against the Chargers, 41-22, in December at home. Look for it to be another shootout this time around with a different outcome as the Bengals win 21-17.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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