Super Bowl LVI: What the Bengals and Rams have to do to win?
Feb 12, 2022, 11:04 AM
We have finally made it to Super Bowl week! Coming up on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI. While the Rams are a “super team” assembled through aggressive trades and lots of money spent on free agents, the Bengals are more of a “homegrown” team with a blend of good draft picks and key free agent additions.
This is one of the most interesting Super Bowl matchups in recent memory. The game is in Los Angeles, but that may not be the home-field advantage that some believe it is. The city is not in love with the Rams the way they are the Lakers or the Dodgers. There’s a chance more Bengals fans will be in attendance for Super Bowl Sunday.
On the field, the game is fascinating, and this is going to be a tough game to pick. Looking at the matchups for both teams, there are strengths and weaknesses to highlight.
How will the Rams attack the Bengals and vice versa? Let’s take a look.
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When the Rams Run the Ball
It’s been a remarkable comeback for Rams running back Cam Akers. He tore his Achilles’ over the summer but was able to make a comeback for the regular season finale. As the postseason has gone on, Akers has done more and more as part of the rotation of running backs they have in their arsenal.
Akers is a power back who can grind down a defense. He’s runs with great contact balance and is tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. Akers is the type of runner who just doesn’t quit, and opponents must be ready for a fight when facing his hard-hitting style.
Along with Akers, the Rams can use Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson in their backfield rotation. All three are talented backs when healthy, with Henderson being arguably the best receiving option of the bunch. Rams head coach Sean McVay has run the ball early and often, primarily to set up the play-action passing. He’s going to use a “hot hand” approach in the Super Bowl, meaning we don’t know which one of these backs will lead the way on the ground as it could change as the game unfolds.
This is the literal definition of "getting skinny in the hole" by Cam Akers. Sheesh.
Also a great sift block by Ben Skowronek. pic.twitter.com/7hzveQCXNY
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) February 3, 2022
If the Rams need to settle the offense down or try to take the wind out of the sails of the Bengals offense, then running the ball more than some expect could be the call. The best way to keep the Bengals offense cold would be to control the time of possession by running as much as possible.
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When the Rams Pass the Ball
Which Matthew Stafford will show up on Sunday? He’s a talented passer when he’s “on” but there are times when he looks like an average starter at best. Stafford can get cold, and during those times the Rams offense will struggle. He led the league in interceptions in 2021 with 17 picks thrown last season in 17 games as the starter. If he throws picks against the Bengals, Stafford could lose the game for the Rams.
The Bengals have a bend-but-don’t-break defense. They’ll give up yards, and they primarily do it through the passing game. The Bengals have the no.26 pass defense in the league in terms of passing yards allowed in 2021. Stafford will be able to air it out against the Bengals – if he’s not cold as he’s known to get from time to time.
What could get him and keep him “on” as a passer? Targeting Cooper Kupp as much as possible. Kupp almost had 2,000 yards this year as a receiver, and he certainly was the best receiving weapon in all of football last season. Kupp can be moved around the formation and is incredibly difficult to cover. He can track passes over his shoulder for big plays, or Kupp can be used on underneath routes where he can turn short passes into long gains.
Opposite of Kupp, the Rams have Odell Beckham Jr. A former superstar, Beckham’s career fell off track during his time with the Browns. The Rams made a move to acquire him, and Beckham ramped up his production as the season has gone on. During the postseason, Beckham has been a target hog, catching 19 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. It would be wise to get him involved with 8-10 targets in the Super Bowl – any of those could be big plays or touchdowns for the Rams.
The last time the Rams & Bengals squared off was from London in 2019 and Cooper Kupp had a career high 220 receiving yards. Kupp is having a legendary season + post season. All together he’s amassed 150 receptions, 2333 receiving yards, and 20 TDs. 1 more to go #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/SW7wBRr6p0
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) February 5, 2022
The Rams could pull away in this game. The Bengals have a high-powered offense, but if they’re playing one-dimensional football as they attempt a comeback, that feeds directly into the teeth of the Rams defense – the pass rush and the secondary.
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When the Bengals Run the Ball
Joe Mixon can be the centerpiece for what the Bengals do on offense in the Super Bowl. They need to stay in the game so they can keep running the ball, but Mixon has his work cut out for him against a tough Rams rush defense. The Rams had the no.6 rushing defense in 2021 in terms of yards allowed in the season. They’re tough to run against – but good thing Mixon is tough to deal with.
The Rams can get after the passer. Guys like Von Miller or Aaron Donald are going to be tough to deal with when the team goes back to pass. They can slow those two down by running it down their throat. Mixon can produce against stacked boxes and tough run defenses, and the Bengals need to make sure to stay balanced in what they do offensively.
When Mixon needs a breather, the Bengals can go to another powerful back in Samaje Perine. In addition to his size and power, Perine is a better-than-expected receiver out of the backfield. It’s not a tell as to whether it’s a run or pass when Perine is on the field. Like Mixon, Perine has great vision as a runner and can maximize the number of yards that is available on most any carry.
The last time the Rams & Bengals squared off was from London in 2019 and Cooper Kupp had a career high 220 receiving yards. Kupp is having a legendary season + post season. All together he’s amassed 150 receptions, 2333 receiving yards, and 20 TDs. 1 more to go #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/SW7wBRr6p0
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) February 5, 2022
If the Bengals can run the ball effectively, they’ll give themselves the best chance to win. I know everyone wants a pass-happy game that makes the scoreboard go “tilt” but the best plan for the Bengals is balance. That’s provided by Mixon and Perine – if they can stay in the game.
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When the Bengals Pass the Ball
It’s fun to watch Joe Burrow. He’s just cool – on and off the field. Burrow was sacked more than any quarterback in the league last season, and the Rams will want to rattle him by sacking him as much as possible in the Super Bowl. The problem? Burrow is unflappable and even when he’s getting beat up (see the Divisional Round versus the Titans) he will not shy away from the game. Burrow is tough as nails and can take a beating to make a play.
When the chips are down, the Bengals believe Burrow can rise above – and most of the time he does. When down 21-3 against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, the Bengals were able to methodically work their way back into the game and get the win to be here in the Super Bowl. The Rams had better not give Burrow a chance to beat them or he will. The Bengals can hang around and then strike often to get a big win.
Burrow’s favorite target from his college days at LSU was Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals went out and drafted Chase in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, and the duo picked up where they left off. Chase immediately became one of the best young receivers in the league, and he’s been an absolute monster during the late season and playoffs. This was highlighted by his 266-yard, three touchdown game against the Chiefs in Week 17. Chase is a freak of nature who has insane body control to go along with speed and moves after the catch.
Chase versus Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey is going to be a spectacle. While Ramsey may be able to slow down the rookie, he can’t triplicate himself to cover other star receivers like Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Higgins is a big-bodied target who does a good job of boxing out smaller defenders. Boyd, the Bengals no.3 receiver, could start for most teams in the league. As the season went on, Boyd became one of the primary targets Burrow looked for when he was under duress.
This play by j’marr chase is insane 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RiB6z4PwmA
— Manning Dilley (@manning_dilley) October 26, 2021
The Bengals have so many weapons on offense for Burrow to throw to. If this game turns into a shootout, that is something the Bengals can do – so long as they protect Burrow. Quick passing, running and big plays after the catch from the receivers are the key for the Bengals offense on Sunday.
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