SUPER BOWL!!!

I became a Bengals fan at an age younger than I can remember. My dad and I went to every game together -we tailgated, we talked strategy, we made memories that have stuck with me through my adult life. Bonds like these happen for many through sport; I believe that is one of the greatest things about being a fan.  Those memories you create watching every game makes the reward of these prolific games even better.  Throughout my life my dad and I always agreed, when the Bengals make it to the Super Bowl - we would go - no questions asked. Well, that time has finally come - Super Bowl bound and off to LA. 

For the recap of the game in Arrowhead I will be quick.  The Cincinnati Bengals were considered as underdogs by everyone outside of Cincinnati.  While watching the game and up until the closing seconds of the first half it seemed like the Bengals were going to lose.  But the ice cold veins of Joe Burrow led the Bengals to scoring 21 unanswered points and beating the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24.  The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to LA to face the LA Rams, where Zac Taylor will face his old Boss in Sean McVay.  Now, let's look at the coaching matchup for each side and see what each team needs to focus on. 

For the Bengals there are three major things to focus on.  The first and the elephant in the room is how good the defensive line is for the Rams.  Aaron Donald and Von Miller are both first ballot Hall of Famers and their presence for the Super Bowl will be felt.  But Aaron Donald is the key to the whole operation for the Rams defense. The Rams will inevitably put Donald against whoever the Bengals put at Right Guard.  Mixon and Perine will be put in the 0 gap mostly all game to help block Donald and help mitigate pressure up the middle. Now that's only one part of this two headed pass rush.  The next will be the job Isiah Prince will have to do against Von Miller, who has already won one Super Bowl from causing a strip sack. Again, the Bengals will have to focus another resource to make sure this doesn't happen by using a Tight  End to help chip block the edge. If the Bengals can limit the Rams defense to under 5 sacks the Bengals will win this game.  But if the Rams feast on the Bengals offensive line like the Titans did, there will be some problems.  When looking at this Rams Defense there is one name remaining that people will know and that is, Jalen Ramsey, who is arguably the best corner in football.  The Rams will most likely use Ramsey exclusively against Chase trying to eliminate the big play. The Bengals will have to be creative in using Chase in open space to create chunk plays.  Just as the Rams will look to contain Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals will have their hands full containing this guy.  Cooper Kupp who led the NFL in catches, yards, and TD’s is the catalyst to the Rams offense and accounts for 40% of the Rams passing attack.  For a quick comparison Ja’marr Chase accounts for 28% of the Bengals passing attack. Kupp who is a master at disguising his routes using subtle head fakes to shake defenders and find the open field - this is very difficult to defend.  The key to stopping Kupp is tackling him upon catching the pass.  He is extremely shifty and finds open space better than almost everyone.  Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuize will get this assignment, both will have to have excellent games to help limit these explosive plays.  

For the Rams their game planning will primarily have to be focusing on the Bengals offense.  Ramsey can shut down one option but the Rams second Cornerback, Darious Williams, is average at best and is only 5’9”.  He will have to guard Tee Higgins who is 6’4” with a 6’9” wingspan.  Higgins, when facing a cornerback that is under 5’10” is averaging 8 catches for 135 yard and a TD each game.  The Rams will have to make a decision on who to use Ramsey on.  They will probably alternate and make decisions based on how the game is playing out.  But if Ramsey only guards Chase, Higgins might be open for a monster game.  The next thing the Rams need to do is manage Matthew Stafford in big situations.  When the game is on the line or the Rams need a big play.  Matt Stafford has been more prone to throwing interceptions than TD all season.  It will be something that has to be watched as the Bengals secondary will be looking to feast on poor decisions like they have all through the post season.  The last thing to watch and game plan for the Rams is when they played playoff teams this regular season.  They only won 2 of their 7 opportunities.  Losing to the Titans, Packers, Cardinals, and 49ers.  When they lose to these teams they convert an average of two turnovers per game and average 9 penalties a game.  The Rams need to make sure they dont make stupid mistakes that would cost them this game.

Story lines will be covered before this game about how Zac Taylor was an assistant for Sean McVay.  People will talk about how both of these quarterback’s are in their first Super Bowl.  But the story line that won’t be covered and will help determine the game is the differences between these two teams.  One is almost a Monstars All Star team that you saw in Space Jam against Michael Jordan.  You will see these names and all of this money that was spent on this team.  The problem is the LA Rams are a group of individual players that play for themselves.  The Cincinnati Bengals are a team that plays for each other.  I truly believe this is what decides the game.  When things get tough for each team, how will they respond?  All season we have seen this Bengals team rally amongst each other while the Rams have been seen punching each other.  The team that flinches will ultimately lose and the Rams have yet to win a game when a team scores 28 points on them this season.  My prediction is your Cincinnati Bengals win their first ever Super Bowl beating the LA Rams 31-27.