Cincinnati Bengals
I want to begin by saying this is the most excited I’ve ever been for a Superbowl. Period.
Entering the season, not one person said Matt Stafford would be playing for his first Lombardi against the Cincinnati Bengals—yet here we are.
These two teams have been blockbuster movies all year. The Rams, who prior to this season were already a solid team, switched Jared Goff at Quarterback for Stafford, added former all-pros Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller during the midseason, and then went on to win their division and effectively make Tom Brady retire.
On the other hand, the Bengals—historically one of the worst franchises in the NFL—went 10-7 with one of the most electric receiver-QB duos in the league, won the AFC North in a shootout against the Kansas City Chiefs, and then beat the Chiefs again in a ridiculous comeback victory in the AFC championship to go to the Superbowl.
I’ll be honest—on paper, the Rams are a better team. LA’s star receiver Cooper Kupp devours any secondary he plays, their defensive pieces are solid, and their running game has greatly improved since Cam Akers stopped faking his Achilles injury.
And of course you can’t forget about Stafford, who was second in the league in ing TDs this year despite throwing the most pick sixes in the NFL.
But although the Rams are the overwhelming favourite, it just doesn’t feel right to bet against Joe Burrow, a man who refuses to lose in the biggest moments. A man who, in just two years as an NFL quarterback, has more nicknames than Matt Stafford has playoff appearances.
We can argue about who has more talent, but the Rams have something the Bengals don’t—something to lose. They have home field advantage, the pressure of expectation, and at least five players whose legacy will be dictated by the outcome of this game.
Sounds like a recipe for getting something stuck in your throat.
Don’t forget; the Bengals weren’t supposed to be here. They went 4-11 last year, Ja’Marr Chase forgot how to catch during the preseason, Burrow is coming off an ACL tear in year one, and they still have a non-existent offensive line.
But here they are, and it’s just the beginning of something much bigger for them.
If there was ever a moment to pick the underdog, I’d say this is it.
—Salman Ca, contributor
Los Angeles Rams
Flash back to 2019, when a young LA Rams team suited up for the Super Bowl LIII. The result was a stellar defensive performance by Aaron Donald and the Rams that was ruined by Jared Goff’s noodle arm.
Playing against the New England Patriots and the GOAT—Tom Brady—the opposition took advantage of LA’s shoddy QB play and offensive “weapons” that were no more dangerous than a dull butter knife.
Fast forward to 2022, and the Rams are back. This time, they’re at home in Los Angeles with a star-studded crew and an offense that can blow the top off anyone in the league. The names on this roster speak for themselves—Matt Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp, Aarond Donald—but true football fans know no game is won on paper.
True football fans know the only thing that matters on Super Bowl Sunday is a bromance.
Brady and Gronk, Mahomes and Kelce, Flacco and Pitta, Manning and Decker—the list of Super Bowl winning bromances goes on. This year, Stafford and Kupp will that elite company.
These two guys eat breakfast with each other every morning, study game film in their own private room, and have been known to share the odd hug or two. Sure, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase post about each other on Instagram, but do they sure don’t know the feeling of each other’s warm embrace.
Advantage Rams.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the Bengals’ dynamic duo. Ja’Marr is one of the most electric players in the league, and he can take over games at will. Not to mention the man has some drip. My only rebuttal, though, is Cooper Kupp won the Triple Crown this year—first in total receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns—and he can grow a beautiful beard.
Advantage Rams.
Finally, LA has a suffocating defense. Although a front seven with Aaron Donald is enough to scare most teams, the Rams decided to add Von Miller and Leonard Floyd. Top it off with the three-time First-Team All Pro and All-World Trash Talker Jalen Ramsey, and suddenly Cleveland might not be the only team with brown pants on Sunday.
Bromance, Triple Crown, a number one defense—the Rams have the perfect recipe for a Super Bowl victory.
—Liam Wrigley, contributor
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