Anyone who bet on this outcome for the Bengals before the season should step forward to claim their prize. Some may have thought the pieces were there, but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who expected them to fall into place this quickly. Regardless of what bets were placed earlier, the fact is this: the Bengals are in the Super Bowl. Sunday night, they have a chance to claim the franchise’s first title.
This matchup against the Los Angeles Rams is a classic example of teams that got hot at the right time. These two teams have combined for just four losses since December 1 – one of which, a backup quarterback started. These teams sport remarkably similar statistical profiles as well. The only real difference is the amount of star power on the Rams’ side. For the Bengals specifically, this feels like a fitting final boss. They went through the AFC’s top seeded Tennessee Titans and Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead, both tough challenges. However, the Rams are absolutely brimming with top-end talent. The Bengals haven’t seen this yet, but they’ve proven they’re up for any challenge.
Around FPC
Super Bowl: Cincinnati Keys to Victory: Super Bowl Edition
NFL: Marvin Lewis on Brian Flores’ Charges: “No Question, It’s Alarming”
Super Bowl: Super Bowl LVI Preview: Scouting the Rams’ Defensive Line
Super Bowl: Climb The Ranks: Joe Burrow Continues To Ascend
NHL: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames
Injury Report
Bengals
QUESTIONABLE: TE C.J. Uzomah
ALSO LISTED: DL Cam Sample, DL Josh Tupou, WR Stanley Morgan, OL Jackson Carman
Rams
OUT*: TE Tyler Higbee, OL Joseph Noteboom
ALSO LISTED: RB Cam Akers, LB Christian Rozeboom, DB Grant Haley, S Taylor Rapp, WR Van Jefferson, CB Jalen Ramsey, OL Andrew Whitworth
*Both placed on IR Friday and do not show up on official injury reports
Odds & Betting Lines
LINE: LAR -200, CIN +165
OVER/UNDER: 48.5
SPREAD: LAR -4.0
(All odds are taken from BetMGM.)
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Key Points
Rams
There’s no two ways about it, the Rams are stacked. It’s easy to point to Matthew Stafford as the “missing piece” to their puzzle, and maybe he was – he was third in the NFL in passing yards with 4,886 and second in touchdowns with 41. As good as Stafford was (and still is), other newcomers have been just as big. Midseason acquisition Odell Beckham Jr. was huge in the NFC Championship game, posting his first 100-yard receiving game since October 2019, per PFR. Kendall Blanton and Cam Akers aren’t newcomers in that sense, but neither expected to be big contributors down the stretch. Akers came back from an Achilles tear in July(!) to lead the rushing attack, and Blanton is filling in nicely for the injured Tyler Higbee. Notice we haven’t even talked about the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp, at all yet. They’re that deep.
The Rams’ defense is home to a similarly long list of studs. We all know about Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, but adding Von Miller at the trade deadline took them to another level. Eric Weddle came out of retirement to join them on this playoff run, and he’s provided solid play. Nick Scott has found himself in the right place at the right time several times in the playoffs for big plays. There’s others that I frankly don’t have time to mention by name, but they’re just as good on this side of the ball. All of that said, they’ve been vulnerable to the passing game in the playoffs, as big-play offenses kept Tampa Bay and San Francisco in their respective games. They’re loaded with talent, but they’re not invincible.
Bengals
The immediate concern for the Bengals is, of course, protecting Joe Burrow. They did well to adjust after letting Tennessee sack him 9 times, allowing only 1 sack to Kansas City. Most of that improvement came from keeping more blockers in, which will be imperative against the Rams’ front. Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd can find holes in the defense, but Burrow has to have time to let the plays develop. That made the comeback against the Chiefs happen. Further, Joe Mixon will have to be good. He dealt the finishing blow to the Chiefs with help from an extra lineman in as a blocker. Doing that the entire game is unreasonable, but bringing it out occasionally in big spots just might unlock the run game enough to soften the Rams’ pass rush.
I don’t think too much needs to be said about the Bengals’ defense that hasn’t already shown up in these playoffs. Every time they’ve needed a big play, someone has stepped up to make it. Against the Chiefs, that was Vonn Bell and B.J. Hill. Against Tennessee, it was Logan Wilson. Against Las Vegas, it was Germaine Pratt. The Rams’ offense is high-powered, but so is Kansas City’s, and they scored only three points in the second half against the Bengals. Provided Kupp doesn’t explode for a record-breaking game, the Bengals’ secondary has been good enough to contain other options and make life tough for opposing quarterbacks.
Prediction
As a whole, this is the toughest challenge Cincinnati has faced this postseason. However, I think they have the pieces to handle it. This is a gross oversimplification, but this feels like playing the Titans’ defense and the Chiefs’ offense in the same game, and those are both battles the Bengals ultimately won. Winning them both at the same time isn’t something we’ve seen them have to try, but that’s what happens when you make it to the Super Bowl – you’re facing the best of the best. The only thing that would surprise me is a blowout. I think this one stays tight throughout, and with the timely plays the Bengals have made time and time again, I won’t bet against them now.
Prediction: Bengals 31, Rams 27
– Chris Railsback is a contributing writer for the Bengals at Full Press Coverage.
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big game two win over the Heat as the […]
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2-0 series lead […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's quest for a third-straight […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep 9: Wildly Early Predictions Of The 2022 Patriots Scheduleby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:24 am
-
Ep 114: Paul Londonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 131: Packers Fan Series with LosDeeMixby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 8:49 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
The Game talks about Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom as well as Yankees and ROY Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:04 pm
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Episode 48 Criss Partee Analysis and reaction to Game 1s of the NBA Conference Finalsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 6:50 am
-
Ep. 253: Storm Rolls Into Atlantaby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 12:50 am
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am