Despite the Bengals technically being the home team for the upcoming Super Bowl LVI, they are in severe trouble. The battle for the Lombardi Trophy is taking place in the brand new So-Fi Stadium: home of the LA Rams, the team they’re set to face.
That being said, if Joe Burrow and the Bengals could travel to Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs, I’m not sure if any crowd can shake them. Burrow said it himself: “these stadiums don’t get as loud as they do in the SEC.“
As the underdogs, Cincinnati needs to find unique ways to win this game. They’ve tapped into the mentality of being the lesser team since the start of the season and it has boded well for them. Joe Burrow has made incredible play after incredible play. Ja’Marr Chase has made the NFL’s cornerbacks look silly in 50/50 matchups. Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and CJ Uzomah have become critical elements of the offense. Joe Mixon has spent another season as a top-tier do-it-all running back. So, what are the keys to Cincinnati’s success, and turning Joe Burrow into the first quarterback in NFL history to win a college National Championship, the Heisman Trophy, and a Super Bowl?
Keep Joe Up
This offensive line has been the weakest aspect of this Bengals team. Joe Burrow can make magic out of almost nothing, and he’s shown that throughout the playoffs. His style of play at LSU and transitioned almost seamlessly to the NFL. He works well out of the pocket, and he’s PFF’s highest graded quarterback when throwing under pressure. He didn’t earn the nickname “Joe Brrrr” for no reason: he’s calm and cool under heat.
However, the Bengals will be facing a defensive front no other team they’ve played can be remotely comparable to. It stars two future Hall of Fame players in defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and edge defender Von Miller. Additionally, after leaving Chicago, Leonard Floyd rekindled his career with the Rams, and has accounted for 9.5 sacks himself this season.
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Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
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Cincinnati barely survived surrendering 9 sacks to the Tennessee Titans in the Divisonal round. Their success came on the shortcomings and misplay by Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. One could argue a similar result saved the Bengals in overtime at Kansas City. Regardless, this Rams team will not be so foolish. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a 13-year veteran of the NFL. He’s equally calm under pressure and has pulled his team back from the brink when everything around him was collapsing. Rewatch Cooper Kupp and Cam Akers fumble against Tampa Bay, and then watch Stafford possess the maturity to hold everything together.
It’s hyperbole to say protect your quarterback. But if Cincinnati cannot, this matchup will be a repeat of the Tampa Bay-Kansas City Super Bowl: domination on all levels.
Patience and Control
There has been buzz circulating about a much-anticipated matchup between Bengal’s receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. While the Rams have not publicly committed to Ramsey shadowing Chase all game, it’s hard to imagine a matchup where they don’t. Chase has been a large contributing factor to the Bengals “splash play” ability (20+ yards). Imagining he’s cancelled out by Ramsey, Burrow will have to look elsewhere.
It’s not that Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins aren’t good wide receivers. They could all go to other NFL teams and take over the WR1 spot in a week. It’s not that Joe Mixon isn’t a dynamic running back, either. But the Bengals identity on offense has been getting the ball to the playmakers for flashy, big plays. The Bengals don’t need to shy away from the splash plays all together, although the Rams do have a quality secondary. But the opportunities that have been available this season might not be available in this game.
Joe Burrow, especially if his offensive line can’t hold, will need to be okay living with the drag routes, or the quick slants, or the screens. He’s shown no disdain for doing so, but that element of the gameplan will likely be more prevalent in this matchup than previously. If the Bengals can control the football, and keep it away from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, they will have a higher chance of winning when they’re already the underdogs.
Final Thoughts
The gameplan is really simple. Eliminate the noise, protect Joe, and play football at a mature level. If at the end of 60 minutes the Bengals win the time of possession battle, they’re in a good position to win the game. Let Joe Burrow do what he does best: make plays. But also remember those plays might not happen as often as they have.
Every coach will always say you need to play almost perfect to win the big game. The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have any leeway.
They need to play perfect.
Follow the author Jesse E. Thermer on Twitter @jt_oneseven, and follow Full Press Coverage @fp_coverage and @fullpressnfl.
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