SUPER BOWL LVI: LOS ANGELES RAMS VS CINCINNATI BENGALS

By BetOnline February 10, 2022

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After the longest season in NFL history and maybe the greatest set of playoff games of all time, Super Bowl LVI has finally arrived. While the game is occurring at the Los Angeles Rams’ home stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals are technically the home team as we all enjoy a Super Bowl that the New England Patriots or Tom Brady cannot win.

Both these teams played their guts out to get here. While the Rams coasted in their first playoff game, a 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals, they’ve been in dog fights the rest of the way. They had to hold off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Brady in a comeback attempt, winning 30-27 in the Divisional Round and took out the San Francisco 49ers by a field goal after erasing a 17-7 deficit in the NFC Championship.

Cincinnati has not had a play off in a month. After holding off the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 inside the red zone in the Wild Card Round, Joe Burrow was sacked nine times in a 19-16 last second win over the Tennessee Titans and did the same in the AFC title game, coming back from 21-10 to beat Kansas City in overtime.

This is the 15^th all time meeting between the two franchises. The Bengals lead the series 8-6. The Rams have won the only match up between these two coaches (Zac Taylor and Sean McVay), 24-10 on Oct. 17, 2019. It was another classic Andy Dalton vs. Jared Goff QB duel. Goff threw for 372 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Darrell Henderson had 49 yards on the ground. Cooper Kupp caught seven passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. Dalton threw for 329 yards and a TD. Joe Mixon had 66 yards and Tyler Boyd caught six passes for 65 yards.

LOS ANGELES RAMS VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS (+4, O/U: 48.5)

Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (15-5)

Los Angeles got to stay home for the Super Bowl thanks to vanquishing their arch rival, the San Francisco 49ers, 20-17 in the NFC Championship. Matthew Stafford finished 31 of 45 for 337 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Cam Akers rushed 13 times for 48 yards. Cooper Kupp caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns and Odell Beckham Jr. had nine catches for 113 yards. The Rams defense recorded no sacks, but did pick Jimmy Garoppolo off once to end the game.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (13-7)

The Bengals continued their Cinderella run through the AFC playoffs, knocking off the favored Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime. Joe Burrow ended the day 23 of 38 for 250 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Joe Mixon rushed 21 times for 88 yards and Tee Higgins caught six passes for 103 yards. Cincinnati’s defense sacked Patrick Mahomes four times and picked him off twice.

THE PICK

We have been witness to what might be the best series of playoff games in NFL history. From the Divisional to Championship round, no team won by more than a single score and all but one were won by a field goal. There’s no reason not to expect this to be anything other than a great game down to the wire. I think the difference is going to be the advantage the Rams have on their defensive front matched up against Cincy’s offensive line. The closer the game is, the more it will show up in the fourth quarter. Rams 31, Bengals 24

Last Week

Pro Bowl

Straight up: 1-0

Against the spread: 1-0

Playoffs

Straight up: 7-5

Against the spread: 7-5

Season

Straight up: 177-106-1

Against the spread: 150-134

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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