- Super Bowl Preview: Rams vs Bengals | Big Show
- With Santiago Leon, Joe Toscano, Aaron Bernstein
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Joe Toscano – @joeybagovdonuts
Aaron Bernstein – @VetCloudGaming
Coach Sean McVay leads the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years as the Rams look for their first championship since the 1999 season.
he Bengals (13-7), meanwhile, have experienced a major turnaround under third-year coach Zac Taylor.
Bengals vs. Rams spread: Los Angeles -4
Bengals vs. Rams over-under: 48.5 points
Bengals vs. Rams money line: Los Angeles -190, Cincinnati +160
LAR: Under is 27-10-1 in the Rams’ last 38 games as favorites
CINN: Bengals are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games
Why the Rams can cover
Los Angeles acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions over the offseason for the sole purpose of leading the Rams to an NFL title. The Rams are one step closer due to his solid effort in the NFC Championship Game. Stafford completed 31 of 45 passes (68.9 percent) for 337 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams snapped a six-game losing streak to the San Francisco 49ers to propel them to the 2022 Super Bowl.
Why the Bengals can cover
Defensively, linebacker Logan Wilson has been a beast for Cincinnati. He leads the team in postseason tackles with 30, including 18 solo, with one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and one interception. He opened the playoffs with 12 tackles, including nine solo, against Las Vegas and knocked down one pass. He continued his stellar play a week later against the top-seeded Titans, registering eight tackles, including six solo, with one stuff, one pass breakup and one interception in the AFC Divisional Round.
L.A. Rams (15-5) vs. Cincinnati (13-7)
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
Can the Rams capitalize on playing in their home stadium, something few teams get to experience?
Will 2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and 2021 first-round pick Ja’Marr Chase cap off a dream season with the ultimate win?
Will Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp put on a show and then rely on Aaron Donald to hold it down on defense?
Will Bengals kicker Evan McPherson win another game on a last-second field goal?
Can Odell Beckham Jr. shine on the big stage and solidify his comeback?
LA Rams secondary defensive ranks in PFF Coverage grade (min. 20% snaps):
Caesars Sportsbook currently favors Los Angeles by 4.5 points.
Jalen Ramsey: 87.0 (5th)
Dont’e Deayon: 68.3 (73rd)
David Long Jr: 61.1 (130th)
Taylor Rapp: 58.8 (151st)
Nick Scott: 58.7 (152nd)
Darious Williams: 58.5 (154th)
Joe Burrow might be the first quarterback ever to throw for 500 yards in a game where he gets sacked 19 times
Record picking Bengals games this season: 15-5 straight up (3-0 in playoffs), 11-7-2 against the spread (3-0 in playoffs)
Record picking Rams games this season: 14-6 straight up (2-1 in playoffs), 11-9 against the spread (2-1 in playoffs)
Caesars Sportsbook currently favors Los Angeles by 4.5 points.
Predictions
CIN-LAR
JT: LAR 30-25
AB: CIN 31-28
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
