What the Rams must do to win …
Play clear. The Rams have the expertise benefit. Their protection ranks first within the league in strain charge, and will get virtually all of that with a four-man rush. Placing that up in opposition to this flaky Bengals offensive line? Yikes. Favorites lose Tremendous Bowls by the use of bone-headed performs, dodgy time administration, or unforced turnovers – usually a cocktail of all three. If the Rams can hold the turnover battle even, they've the protection to take over the sport. OC
Jalen Ramsey is among the few cornerbacks fierce sufficient to go toe-to-toe with Ja’Marr Chase. The remainder of the Rams’ secondary has been lower than inspiring. However Darious Williams and firm should include Joe Burrow’s different weapons. Tee Higgins, who can be the highest wideout on most different groups, torched the Chiefs within the AFC Championship. MJ
Duh. Assault Burrow. He has dragged his staff to the league’s closing sport regardless of being sacked 12 occasions in these playoffs, together with 9 occasions within the divisional spherical in opposition to the top-seeded Titans. And whereas Tennessee boast a wonderful group of cross rushers, they ain’t acquired nuthin’ on Aaron Donald, unquestionably the very best all-around defensive participant of the period; and Von Miller, a speedy, flexible, quarterback crusher. AL
It’s the obligation of this vaunted Rams protection to make Penei Sewell pattern on Sunday. If the Rams forestall Burrow from getting the ball off in time, there will likely be a whole offseason for the Bengals to second-guess themselves for drafting Chase over the offensive sort out. HF
Preserve their eyes off the scoreboard and their foot on the accelerator. Sean McVay wants to stay to his offensive script so Matthew Stafford can use his soccer intelligence to carve up the Bengals with killer throws. GS
What the Bengals must do to win …
Hit explosive performs on offense. The Rams’ secondary and linebacking corps is shaky in protection, and that’s the place Cincy will look to assault. If Burrow and Co can outpace the Rams within the explosive performs class, whereas the protection forces the Rams to maintain lengthy, droning drives, they’ll have a shot. OC
Good day, Captain Apparent right here … the Bengals should cease Donald, the very best participant within the NFL. No large deal, proper? Cincy’s offensive line continues to be their weak hyperlink and the Rams (starring Donald) would be the unit’s hardest take a look at but. MJ
To date Chase has but to point out there's a nook who can persistently mark him. And though Ramsey is among the finest, he could have his fingers full if the Bengals transfer Chase round their formations. And if the Cincinnati line provides Burrow time to search out him. AL
Don’t fall behind early. Within the AFC championship sport, the Bengals held the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to a single field-goal after halftime. That was spectacular. They have been additionally down 21-3 within the second quarter. That’s not a repeatable technique. HF
Stuff the run. Cincinnati’s protection is unfairly maligned: they saved the Chiefs in test higher than the Payments, in any case. San Francisco stopped LA speeding within the NFC Championship and it virtually labored. If the Bengals do stifle Sony Michel and Cam Akers that opens up additional protection from linebackers to assist decelerate Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. GS
Key participant for the Rams …
Jalen Ramsey, cornerback. The large query for the Rams is how they may deploy their star cornerback. It will make sense for LA to double the Bengals’ finest receiver, Chase, on the skin after which use Ramsey to remove Burrow’s second possibility inside. OC
Matthew Stafford, quarterback. After toiling within the soccer hell in any other case often known as Detroit, Stafford was rescued by McVay. He’s clearly an improve over Jared Goff however he’s additionally not a certain factor. He should play clear soccer, particularly given the tiny window the Rams must hoist the Lombardi Trophy. MJ
Odell Beckham Jr, large receiver. He’s been an offensive X-factor all postseason. On the Tremendous Bowl now, he has an opportunity to ship his largest profession spotlight since his NFT-worthy one-handed catch on Sunday Night time Soccer in 2014. AL
Jalen Ramsey, cornerback. Ramsey has the expertise to go one-and-one with Chase, liberating up the remainder of the protection to smell out different offensive threats. HF
Aaron Donald, defensive sort out. Donald will likely be aiming to destroy the Bengals’ offensive line however Cincinnati will hopefully, for his or her sake, be planning how they'll mitigate his energy. GS
Key participant for the Bengals …
Tyler Boyd, large receiver. So usually within the Tremendous Bowl, it comes all the way down to a staff’s third receiver. The protection doubles one of many prime two guys and finds inventive schematic quirks to isolate the opposite. Chase and Higgins will dominate the eye of the Rams D, and so it'll fall on Boyd to be the chain-mover and post-catch creator who helps Burrow to maneuver the ball into scoring vary. OC
Jessie Bates, security. Bates is the best-known member of Cincy’s “no-name” protection for a purpose. He’s the one participant on the Bengals protection who might pressure McVay into earlier-than-anticipated changes. MJ
CJ Uzomah, tight finish. Whereas Bengals coach Zac Taylor nonetheless has Uzomah as a 50-50 prospect for Sunday, his restricted participation in Bengals practices this week is an encouraging signal. Uzomah not solely provides Burrow one other goal to play off of Chase and Higgins, he can chip in on cross safety too. AL
Evan McPherson, kicker. It’s tempting to go along with Burrow, or Chase, however what about probably the most clutch kicker within the league? If these playoffs are any indication, the whole lot might come all the way down to a single area objective. There’s no one I’d belief extra in that scenario than McPherson. HF
Joe Burrow, quarterback. He by no means flinches when beneath strain whereas usually making a extra explosive play when the protection shuts down the official script. The Rams’ defensive entrance could be as punishing as they like, Burrow enjoys his medication. GS
One daring prediction …
A particular staff’s snafu results in a rating. This 12 months’s postseason has been dominated by particular groups mishaps. Each the Rams and Bengals are nestled comfortably within the top-eight of particular groups items, however the Soccer Gods care not for such trivial issues when there’s ol’ narrative on the road. OC
One of many most important 5 performers within the halftime present – Kendrick Lamar, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg – will likely be a no present after their limo will get caught in LA’s unbearable site visitors. MJ
Taylor’s gonna draw up one thing loopy. And given Cincinnati’s woebegone historical past, it seems like it'll take a bit loopy to beat the Rams of their yard. AL
Our Discourse-poisoned period seems like the right state of affairs for the sport to be utterly overshadowed by one thing unrelated to soccer. Perhaps Dr Dre’s halftime present finally ends up going disastrously flawed or there’s a Tremendous Bowl advert that's so ill-conceived that the on-field motion turns right into a subplot. HF
Joe Mixon rides to the Bengals’ rescue with a Tremendous Bowl and MVP successful efficiency. Fast passes galore to the again hold the chains shifting as Mixon leads Cincinnati in receiving yards and racks up 150+ yards from scrimmage. GS
The ultimate rating will likely be …
Rams 24-27 Bengals. That is difficult. The Rams can rating factors in chunks and have the type of protection that might elevate any aspect to a championship. However, there's Joe Burrow’s coat. There are the cigars. There’s the chain. There’s McPherson’s icy veins. There’s one thing about this Bengals staff that makes you need to ditch any sense of clever evaluation in favor of selecting what’s enjoyable. OC
Rams 35-22 Bengals. I can’t recover from the mismatch that's the Rams’ elite defensive entrance in opposition to the Bengals’ under common offensive line. The Rams even have an enormous benefit enjoying of their hometown. No, not as a result of they've a strong fanbase. However as a result of they've spent the week of their services, sticking to their routines. The Bengals, however, are sleeping in a resort and coping with the insane logistics that include the Tremendous Bowl. MJ
Rams 34-28 Bengals. Regardless of the Bengals’ team-of-destiny vibes, few groups make it to the highest with out taking some lumps to start with. (The legacy of lumps don’t apply.) In the meantime, the Rams have a primary probability to take their metropolis again – and in the event that they flop a second time, there’s no telling in the event that they’ll have one other. GM Les Snead mortgaged the staff’s future to win proper now. If their stars align, I simply don’t see how they miss this second. AL
Rams 24-30 Bengals (OT). The Rams lose with out touching the ball in additional time, one thing which lastly forces the NFL to change its foolish guidelines. Everybody wins (besides, clearly, the Rams). HF
Rams 21-24 Bengals. The strain is on however who will blink first? The Bengals have been glorious within the clutch and that can shade the Rams’ flashy roster. McVay’s failure from three years in the past might additionally negatively affect his choices. Burrow grinds in opposition to the percentages to set McPherson up and McFearless drills the game-winner dwelling. Who dey suppose gonna beat them Bengals? No one … lastly! GS
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