Super Bowl LVI: The Amazing Similarities Between the Rams and Bengals

One franchise is playing on Super Sunday for the second time in four years. The other is back in the “Big Game” for the first time since 1988. But the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals may have more in common than some realize. And Super Bowl LVI figures to be a fascinating match-up.

To begin with, both teams were the No. 4 seeds in their respective conferences. Both have quarterbacks that were the first overall pick in the respective drafts. It was the Detroit Lions who made Matthew Stafford the top selection in 2009 and via trade, he is in the midst of his first season with the Rams. In 2020, the Bengals opted for Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Joe Burrow (LSU).

Oddly enough, both Stafford and Burrow wear the number nine. Remarkably, both Sean McVay’s team and Zac Taylor’s club scored exactly 460 points this season – tied for the seventh-most in the league. Of course, the latter was an assistant under McVay for two years (2017-18) before leaving to take over the Bengals’ head coaching duties in 2019.

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Wait. There’s More!

There are other numbers that are eerily similar. The Rams allowed 372 points this season, four less than the Bengals (376). McVay’s squad was fifth in the NFL in passing offense while Taylor’s team finished seventh. Los Angeles was 17th in the league in total defense while Cincinnati was 18th. An improved defensive front by the Bengals enabled the club to finish fifth in the NFL vs. the run. The Rams were one notch below and are ranked sixth in rushing defense.

The Rams’ top sack artist was interior presence, Aaron Donald, with 12.5 quarterback traps. Meanwhile, the Bengals signed former Saints’ defensive end Trey Hendrickson this offseason and he led Taylor’s team with 14 sacks.

Turnovers? The Bengals gave up the football just 21 times in 17 regular-season games. The Rams were a little sloppier with 23 miscues.

Fun with numbers. And this could shape up as a down-to-the-wire affair, as were all six games in the divisional round and championship games. But by Sunday evening, there will be one thing the Rams and Bengals won’t be sharing and that’s a Lombardi Trophy.