Super Bowl LVI is set and the Rams and Bengals will battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy in Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles. This is the fifth Super Bowl appearance for the Rams, and they are in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. The Bengals are making their third Super Bowl appearance and it is their first trip to the Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXIII following the 1988 season. It should be a fun and competitive game in a matchup that no one saw coming before the season started. Here are the storylines for Super Bowl LVI between the Rams and Bengals....
I) Cool Joe Burrow- Joe Burrow has a chance to win the Super Bowl in his second year as a pro. He won a National Championship in 2019, was the first pick in the 2020 Draft, and now is in the Super Bowl in his second year. He has an opportunity to really make the leap if he wins this game.
II) All-In Rams- The Rams tried to build a super team to reach the Super Bowl, and it is one win away from officially paying off. They traded Jared Goff for Matt Stafford. They traded for Von Miller mid-season. They signed Odell Beckham Jr after he was released by Cleveland during the season. They have traded away draft picks to acquire veterans. All that was done and here they are in the Super Bowl once again.
III) Sean McVay's Legacy: McVay has taken the NFL by storm since becoming a head coach in 2017. He took the Rams to playoffs his first year, went to the Super Bowl his second year, and now he returns to the Super Bowl in his fifth year. That is two Super Bowl appearances in five years. If he wins this Super Bowl, it will be as impressive of a five year run for a first time head coach in a long, long time in the NFL.
IV) Cincy Hope: The Bengals making it to the Super Bowl this year is one of the most improbable turnarounds in recent NFL history. They won 2 games two years ago and had the #1 pick. They only won 4 games last year, and now they are in the Super Bowl. This franchise had not won a playoff game sine 1990 before this playoff run. Now, they are AFC Champions with a legitimate chance to win the Lombardi Trophy. This certainly gives hope to all the other franchises in the NFL that they are not as far away as they think they are from reaching the ultimate goal.
V) The Los Angeles Market: From 1995 to 2016, Los Angeles didn't have a NFL franchise, and no one really seemed to care out there. Ultimately, the Rams maneuvered their way to LA from St. Louis, and once again Los Angles was back in the NFL. The Chargers moved from San Diego a year later. The Rams were a LA-based team from 1946-1994, so having the Rams back in LA seemed like a logical fit for the NFL. The massive Sofi Stadium was built and now LA has winning team in the Rams and modern day stadium to support its' market. The move to Los Angeles was criticized by many around the league, but with the Rams in their second Super Bowl since moving to LA, and Sofi Stadium hosting the Super Bowl, it is safe to say that the move has worked out.
Last Week's Record: 0-1-1
Overall Playoff Record: 6-4-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
A Case for the Rams: They have an advantage of being at home and playing in their home stadium. I really felt that the Bucs had a huge advantage last year when they hosted the Super Bowl, and I think the Rams will benefit this year. The Rams have the advantage in the coaching department with Sean McVay, and I think he will learn from his experience in 2018 when the Rams lost to the Patriots. I like the Rams pass rush going up against the Bengals offensive line too.The Rams were built for this moment. They had to get to the Super Bowl with their collection of stars, and all those big-time players are playing well for them (Stafford, Kupp, OBJ, Donald, Ramsey, Von). They did what they set out to do and they even got the monkey off their back by beating the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. I think they are battled-tested after winning close games over the Bucs and the 49ers. This just feels like this is their moment.
A Case for the Bengals: Every time it seems like you count out the Bengals this year, they come back and prove you wrong. At 7-6, they looked like they were trouble with their schedule down the stretch, but they won three out of their last four games to win the AFC North. People were picking against them against the Raiders and the Titans in the playoffs, and they won those games. No one picked them to beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead in the AFC Championship, and they were down 21-3 in the first half, yet they stormed all the way back and won in overtime. It just seems they have defied the odds at every point this season. I think the youth of the Bengals could be a positive factor as well. They can play fast and loose as the underdog in this game. Joe Burrow has also made the leap this year as one of the next great young QBs in the NFL, and it might be his time already. There are a lot of positive vibes with this team, and it won't shock anyone to see them win this game.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams (-4) over Cincinnati Bengals: This should be a close game and highly competitive throughout, but I think the Rams do just enough to hold onto the victory and win their first Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999.
Final Score: Rams-27 Bengals-21
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