As we hit Super Bowl 56 or LVI as was commonly done, we get two teams that never faced each other. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams will vie for the sport’s top spot and a place in history on Sunday. The Bengals have been there twice, both times losing to Joe Montana‘s 49ers. The Rams have also been there twice, once beating the Tennessee Titans and once losing to the upstart Tom Brady and his New England Patriots.
However you want to cut it, this weekend comes down to betting. Commercials and the game have a lot to do in the festivities as well, but people want to win money. The line has moved from 4.5 to 4 and, being one of the biggest sports events in the year, many sportsbooks are taking advantage of it and have started new promos for users. The latest offer from Caesars Sportsbook is out but keep in mind that it’s for new players only. They have the most up-to-date sporting lines for the big game. Get your money in before the line moves again especially if you are a Bengals fan.
Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald
The best defensive player in the league has to be able to get pressure against a weak interior line of the Bengals. Burrow was able to survive nine sacks against the Tennessee Titans, but if Donald can wreak havoc in the Bengals’ backfield, it will be a long day of mistakes from the second-year quarterback.
Matthew Stafford
He has to limit mistakes. Brady almost pulled a Falcons-Esque comeback against the Rams in the Divisional Round. While that wasn’t necessarily all on Stafford, the Rams quarterback needs to not fall back into old habits. In the last four games of the season, Stafford threw eight interceptions with a sub-67 percent completion rate.
Jalen Ramsey
The top cornerback on the Rams may cover Ja’Marr Chase all game. While Chase is a rookie, he is Burrow’s go-to guy. He has been since their days at LSU. If Ramsey can take away Burrow’s number one option, the Rams can shut down the explosiveness the Bengals have used to take down their opponents en route to the Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow
He has to not play like a rookie. While he isn’t technically, he was out most of last year with a torn ACL. Burrow will have to look for playmakers other than Chase. The Rams will try to take him away and the former LSU quarterback will have to find guys like Tee Higgins and C.J. Uzomah.
Safeties
Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell have been excellent. They will need to continue masking their coverages and sneaking into routes against Stafford. Bates has had 14 tackles along with an interception and five passes defended. Bell has had 16 tackles with an interception and a sack. They make a good tandem and will be tasked with helping against the run as well.
Defensive Line
Trey Hendrickson has been a great signing for the Bengals. When Cincinnati signed the defensive end to a four-year/$60 million contract in the off-season, it was coming off of a breakout season for the 27-year-old. He proved it was the beginning of his career as a premier edge rusher. The Bengals have gotten pressure and helped the back seven of their defense tremendously allowing guys like Bates and Bell to play the ball. Hendrickson will be a big part of it.
Prediction
While Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense has gotten much of the publicity, their defense has held it together. They have made plays when they had to. On the Los Angeles side, Stafford and his crew have been good. They held off the defending champs and broke the mini-curse against their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. When it comes down to the Super Bowl, the Rams will finally stop the Bengals’ magic.
Rams 31, Bengals 26
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