Super Bowl LVI - Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Rams NFL

[Tom]

For the 2nd year running, the Superbowl will take place in one of the participants home stadiums with the big game set to be played at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday 13th of February at 11.30pm.

The Bengals will be making their 3rd trip still looking for their maiden win whilst the it will be a 5th appearance for the Rams looking to add to their 1999 title.

Matt Stafford in his 13th season makes a debut appearance while Joe Burrow becomes the first overall number 1 pick to play a Superbowl in their 2nd season.

Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth will be calling the game for NBC while coverage is on Sky and BBC for Irish viewers. Ron Torbert will be the Head Referee for the match up.

Rams are 3.5 point favourites. Halftime entertainment will be Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.

 

[Tom]

Rating	LAR	CIN
Offensive Stats Comparison
Stat	Rams	Bengals
Yards/Play	6.0	5.8
Points/Play	0.431	0.430
Rush Play %	41.00%	40.91%
Pass Play %	59.00%	59.09%
Completion %	67.66%	69.13%
3D Conv %	44.94%	41.13%
RZ Scoring %	57.65%	55.56%
Defensive Stats Comparison
Stat	Rams	Bengals
Opp Yards/Play	5.2	5.6
Opp Points/Play	0.330	0.344
Opp Completion %	64.74%	65.95%
Opp 3D Conv %	38.43%	41.31%
Opp RZ Scoring %	54.10%	56.06%
Team Power Ratings	Rams	Bengals
Predictive	5.7 (#5)	2.4 (#11)
Last 5 Games	9.1 (#4)	5.5 (#8)
Away Games	7.5 (#6)	8.6 (#5)
Home Games	5.7 (#7)	0.0 (#15)
Division Games	4.0 (#9)	9.6 (#4)
Non-Division Games	8.3 (#3)	2.1 (#16)
First Half	4.3 (#4)	-0.1 (#17)
Second Half	2.4 (#11)	4.4 (#5)
Schedule Strength (Past)	1.4 (#2)	-0.2 (#25)
Schedule Strength (Future)	0.5 (#2)	7.6 (#1)
Luck Rating	2.4 (#2)	1.4 (#7)
Consistency Rating	11.3 (#10)	14.6 (#27)

 

[Franco Pinion]

I want the Bengals to win but think that the Rams have the edge on paper.

 

[David76]

Would love for the Bengals to complete the fairytale and perhaps the most remarkable Super Bowl run in quite some time but I think the Rams will be comfortable enough here. Should be a low scoring game with 20 points being enough to win.

On another point, while Burrow has been the fastest #1 pick to make the Super Bowl, Stafford became the longest (of those that have made it), extending the record from 10 seasons to 13. It's also the first Superbowl since Super Bowl XIII to feature 2 QBs wearing the same number.

 

[Mouth]

My head says Rams 'cause defenses win Super Bowls. My heart says Bengals, fairy-tale story.

 

[Steve]

My heart also says Bengals but my head disagrees so I went with the Rams for my pick. Not that if Aaron Donald gets his ring next week I can't say I'll be disappointed for him. One of the all time greats imo.

It seems appropriate that the strangest year in the NFL ends up in one of the strangest Super Bowl lineups and is currently having the strangest build up to a Super Bowl I can remember. Totally overshadowed by the Flores lawsuit and Brady's retirement. Maybe it's no harm and keeps some of the spotlights off the players for at least a week. Here's hoping for a close one and just maybe the fairy-tale ending for the Bengals.

 

[Birdman]

I'd love to see the Bengals do it but after seeing what the Titans DL did to Burrow you'd have to think Donald and co. will have him running for his life all day.

It's a funny one. I don't like the Rams as a franchise, but they've lots of players I wouldn't mind seeing win one - Kupp, Stafford, Whitworth, Donald, Ramsey, even OBJ, and more.

Will still be rooting for the Bengals though, they've found a way so far.

 

[Dylan]

Going to go for the Rams - they have gone all in this year and their defense is so good. The experience in the Super Bowl vs the Patriots is still fresh and I can't see them making the same mistakes again.

That said I would love to see the Bengals win one.

 

[Bandit]

Rams win for me and hoping it doesn't become a blowout.

Can see the Rams double-teaming Chase and putting Ramsey on Higgins. So Boyd could be the main target.

Rams with all the weapons and Burrow will be under even more pressure than he has been this season.

So Rams for me but really hoping it's a tight and enjoyable game .

 

[Tom]

Still gutted the Bills aren't there. Pains me seeing the highlights of their loss to the Chiefs.

How do the Bengals win this game then, and keep Burrow away from Rams D line?