Super Bowl LVI

(4) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Cincinnati Bengals

Rams: Nothing is ever perfect during a season. Like every other team, they’ve had their moments and it showed at crucial points of the season. When they started 3-0, everyone said they were the best team in the league after those first few games, myself included. I saw a completely different offensive approach. It’s no disrespect to Jared Goff, they wouldn’t be close to the offense they are now had they still kept him as a member of the team. I still need to know one thing though: Was Matthew Stafford still the problem in Detroit? When the Rams acquired him from the Lions, the tandem of he and Sean McVay were meant to be together. Any player in this league can succeed under the right coaching and system. This was the best I’ve ever seen Matthew look. This Rams offense is more potent with him under center. With Jared Goff, they had to learn more on the running game and use play-action to work the ball up the field in the passing game. Now, I’m about to eat another slice of humble pie. Throughout the off-season, I kept saying the Rams needed to go out and get a number one wide receiver. Insert Cooper Kupp. The man just won the triple crown amongst receivers and put together the best year of his career. Speaking of receivers, how about Odell Beckham Jr? He’s playing freely and has matured immensely. I’m proud of him. On the other side, this L.A. defense is still one of the best in the league and it will always start with Aaron Donald. This team has sacrificed a lot in their future to build a Super Bowl contender. On Sunday, they will become the second team ever to play in a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

Bengals: Throughout the year, I always made comments about the parody in the AFC. Each week, the title of the best team in the conference was changing. First, it was the Buffalo Bills that were the top team in the AFC, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs got some love, the Tennessee Titans were sitting at the table and way back, so were the Baltimore Ravens. Who I’m about to talk about now defeated three of those teams I just listed. Here’s the thing about playoff football. It’s not about records and home-field advantage. It’s about who can play the best when it matters the most. The Cincinnati Bengals are a battle-tested football team and you saw that in the AFC Championship. Down 18 playing at Arrowhead of all places, they never lost confidence and trusted one another. I’ve followed Joe Burrow closely since his LSU days. Even now, I still see the same confident football with swagger out of this world. This kid feels he can make every single throw. What I appreciate about him is he’s not fazed by the big moments. He takes it all in. This Bengals offense was electric this year. Just imagine what the quarterback can do with a better offensive line! One of the best under-the-radar signings was Trey Hendrickson. He became their heart and soul on the defensive side. The thing I like about this Bengals team is they play for one another. Most importantly, they have fun as a group together. That’s all you can ask for. For the first time since 1988, they are back in the Super Bowl.

Now, as you read this, you’re probably confused. This is usually where I give my x-factors for each team, some additional keys to the game, and a score prediction. I’m continuing my annual guessing game! On Sunday about 30 or 45 minutes before kickoff, I will be posting a video throughout social media as I continue this preview. Be on the lookout! I will give my x-factors, keys to the game for both teams, and of course, who I have winning the Super Bowl. I’ll see you in a few days.