Welcome to Super Bowl LVI! We've made it to the end and only one result is left to be settled: Which team will lift the Lombardi Trophy at midfield of SoFI Stadium on Sunday, February 13th? Fourteen teams have competed. Two teams remain standing: The Bengals and the Rams. Which one will triumph in this most important of contests? __________________________________________________________________________________ Im thinking we needed a Super Bowl thread. Bring your SB stuff here. Share your SB stories and post up some stuff. Im looking forward to this one like no other in a long time. Hopefully it goes down with the same drama as this years Playoffs. A tight, well fought battle between two teams who match up well. Right off the get-go, the Rams must have some sort of advantage playing at home, but this years schedule proved differently as visiting teams won their fair share also.
Rams vs. Bengals. Two teams with combined SB record of 1 - 5, and like a few of us here, I'm old enough to remember all of those games....All good showings, in spite of the record, and many of those played in the era of blowout Super Bowls... This should be a good one. Both teams earned their way here by coming out of their respective conference as the #4 seed. I'm never going to underestimate the Bengals again, that's for sure. I picked against them in all three of their playoff games, and truly did not expect to see them win in Tennessee or KC. Joe Burrow is on fire right now and that Cincinnati offense is legit, but I don't think they get enough credit for the defense. I couldn't help but notice lot's of Buckeyes flying around and making plays for the Cincy D. Not sure exactly what Zac Taylor did at halftime yesterday, but kudo's for making some great adjustments that had Mahomes off his game throughout the 2nd half. Honestly, if not Cleveland, and with the lone exception of Minnesota, I can't think of a more deserving team to finally get that long awaited championship.... Go get it done Bengals.
Hell no they don't. All these Mahomes apologists and none of them have eyes to understand that he had what felt like 10 seconds to make plays throughout the whole game thanks to his O-line or him being able to avoid the sacks. Then guys got open and he had easy throws. The Bengals adjusted and although they weren't getting much more pressure they were doing it with only the O-line and maybe 1 or 2 more guys coming and just got way more solid in coverage. People don't understand how hard it is on the defense to keep covering receivers for that long that many times. The 2nd half was masterful. Chiefs only screwed themselves by not running the ball more. It allowed the Bengals to adjust to the pass as they did. Also that last play before half with no timeouts was laughable.
Rams get to keep their own locker room as the road team because the Chargers' room is available for the Bengals.
But, but but, he's Patrick!!! Seriously, how many pirouette's did he bust out in that second half? None of it worked.
As the home team, the Bengals will choose what uniforms it will wear in Super Bowl LVI. As the road club, the Rams will call the coin toss to open the game -- and overtime, if necessary.
Thats a good point. Pressure was decent and when Mahomes would scramble, the pursuit by the Bengals defense to the ball was fast and well executed... they (Bengals defense) adjusted very well.
Looking at your AV Willie, makes me think of that time in the 60’s and 70’s when people thought that it was cool to smoke, now they call you a fool if you smoke. Page always had a cigarette in his mouth when he was playing guitar.
CINCINNATI (AP) — The NFL won’t sign off on a Super Bowl watch party at Paul Brown Stadium. The league sent a letter to stadium officials saying the legal and logistical barriers are too great to allow a broadcast of the game on the stadium’s big screens. The NFL said the decision is consistent with the organization’s rules and policies. Hamilton County officials had asked stadium officials to explore the possibility of the community watch party at the venue. Hamilton County Board of Commissioners president Stephanie Summerow Dumas told the Cincinnati Enquirer that her concerns included being able to ensure the safety of people inside the stadium and taking away business from restaurants and bars where fans typically congregate for games. The stadium will be the site of a fan rally on Monday. All of the free tickets for the 6 p.m. general admission event have been claimed. The Bengals play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13. ___________ _________________________ Party Poopers!!!!!!!
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah missed a second day of practice due to a knee injury suffered in the AFC championship game. Offensive lineman Jackson Carman has a sore back and also sat out Friday as the Bengals practiced for a second day in the indoor bubble at the University of Cincinnati because of bad weather, according to a pool report. Uzomah became a clutch receiver for quarterback Joe Burrow this season, and the Bengals hope to get him back for the Super Bowl on Feb. 13. He was carted off with a knee sprain in last Sunday’s AFC championship win over Kansas City. “I don’t anticipate him doing much work this week,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “The goal really is to see where he’s at this weekend and see where he’s going to be on Monday.” The Bengals will practice Saturday and Sunday, likely in the bubble with temperatures in the teens and 20s predicted. They’ll arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday, five days ahead of the Super Bowl. Unlike Thursday, when icy conditions delayed one of the team buses, all the buses made it through the snowy streets of Cincinnati to the UC campus without issue on Friday.
Across both Super Bowl rosters, there is a great divide. The Rams are the team loaded with veterans and the Bengals are the new kids on the block. Los Angeles has the star power, which figures with Hollywood next door. Cincinnati has a bunch of relative no names outside of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Bengals coach Zac Taylor worked for Rams boss Sean McVay — even though Taylor is more than two years older. Both teams were No. 4 seeds after winning their divisions, so there are some similarities. It might be the differences that, well, make the difference on Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium. Oh, yeah, that happens to be the Rams’ new home. WHEN THE BENGALS HAVE THE BALL: Burrow (9) and Chase (1) are the Dynamic Duo for Cincinnati. They were at LSU and nothing changed when Chase, who sat out the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was chosen fifth overall in last April’s draft. His effect has been immense, scoring 13 times on 81 receptions for 1,455 yards in the regular season. Of course, Burrow has been just as impactful. He went 2-7-1 in a rookie season cut short by a knee injury and made a sensational return, as accurate as any passer in the league. Cool as they come — yes, Joe Cool — he had 34 touchdown passes, and in the Bengals’ three postseason victories after having none since 1991, Burrow has gone 75 for 109 for 842 yards and four TDs, showing scrambling skills as well. The key for LA to slow down that combination lies with the pass rush; Cincinnati allowed a league-high 51 sacks during the season, 12 more in the postseason. So unanimous All-Pro DT Aaron Donald (99), LB Leonard Floyd (54) and revitalized Von Miller (40), the MVP of the 2016 Super Bowl, must be negated somewhat. If the Bengals’ offensive line, from tackles Jonah Williams (73) and Isaiah Prince (71) to center Trey Hopkins (66) to guards Quinton Spain (67) and the rotation of Hakeem Adeniji (77) and rookie Jackson Carman (79) don’t step up, Burrow will go down a bunch. If he gets the protection that has been missing too often, Chase’s matchups with All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey (5) could be epic. But Ramsey won’t always be on Chase, who can break free on any route, and he also has some potent partners in WRs Tyler Boyd (83) and Tee Higgins (85), their battles with the remainder of the secondary could be significant. In his seventh pro season, TE C.J. Uzomah (87) has emerged as a threat, but he damaged a knee last week and his status is uncertain. RB Joe Mixon (28), who ranked third with 1,205 rushing yards, can wear down defenses, but the Rams ranked sixth against the rush. WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL: Like with the trades that brought Miller and Ramsey on defense, the Rams have bolstered their offense immeasurably in recent years. They solidified left tackle five seasons back with Andrew Whitworth (77), who remains a stud at age 40. Much more recently came QB Matthew Stafford (9), RB Sony Michel (25) and WR Odell Beckham Jr. (3). All of have been key contributors, though Stafford is by far the biggest upgrade. Sure, the Rams made the 2019 Super Bowl with Jared Goff, but Stafford, finishing his 13th pro season, is a class above. After languishing in Detroit for a dozen years, he’s been a main cog in the Rams getting this far. No one is better against the blitz than Stafford, and while he can make some head-scratching throws and turn over the ball, he also makes some head-shaking passes that put you in awe. And, like Burrow, he has one of the league’s best targets in unanimous All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp (10). Opponents could put all 11 defenders on the guy and he’d still get free, as his triple crown of receiving shows: 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. He’s been just as unstoppable in the playoffs, and this could be a major mismatch. Bengals CBs Eli Apple (20), Chidobe Awuzie (22), Mike Hilton (21) and Tre Flowers (33) will be tests bigtime. Cincinnati is stronger at safety with Vonn Bell (24), whose pick of Patrick Mahomes set up the winning field goal for the AFC title, and Jessie Bates III (30). The entire bunch also must account for Beckham, who seems to be re-energized in LA, and Van Jefferson (12). Michel and Cam Akers (23), who came back quickly from a torn Achilles tendon, share backfield duties, but this is a throw-first team operating behind standouts such as Whitworth. The 16-year veteran figures to be challenged by Cincinnati’s top pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson (91), and DE Sam Hubbard (94), who was terrific against the Chiefs. The Bengals don’t have a linebacker in Miller’s class, but Logan Wilson (55) and Germaine Pratt (57) have made some key plays in the postseason. SPECIAL TEAMS: It’s all about rookie Evan McPherson (2). The fifth-round draft choice — no, Cincinnati did not bungle a pick on a kicker here — the kid has hit all 12 of his field goals, including four in the wild-card round, then winners at Tennessee and Kansas City. P Kevin Huber (10) did not have a particularly strong season, but he’s a veteran who has kicked in the postseason before. LA’s Matt Gay (8) is steady enough, and he also has two straight winning field goals in the playoffs. P Johnny Hekker (6) has been one of the league’s best punters for a decade, and is a threat on fake punts. Neither team scares you on kick returns. COACHING: This is so juicy. Taylor spent two years working for McVay and didn’t even reach coordinator status when the Bengals came calling in 2019. He went 6-25-1 his first two seasons, but the Bengals were building their roster. His work in the past six weeks has been particularly exemplary. McVay remains the poster child — OK, he’s a wise old 36 — for hot-shot offensive minds. His game management has been questioned, but it’s hard to argue with four playoff trips in five seasons, and a Super Bowl loss three years ago. Two assistants worth high praise: Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has done a lot with no real stars except Hendrickson, and Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, who like Anarumo has gotten some head coaching interviews. INTANGIBLES: The Rams are built for now. They have been all-in on this season, using lots of draft capital — not to mention $$$ capital — on this roster. They also have the bitter memory of a putrid performance against New England in the 2019 Super Bowl. For those who think this is gravy for the surprising Bengals, remember they are 0-2 in Super Bowls, both losses to the dynastic 49ers, though in close contests. They also hadn’t won a postseason game since 1991. What do they have to lose now?
Jalen Ramsey: Of course I want to guard Ja’Marr Chase, but go where the game takes us Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd called Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey the best player at his position in the entire league during his Monday media availability and Ramsey didn’t make a case for anyone else when it was his turn at the podium later in the day. Ramsey said that he believes he’s the best cornerback in the league and that he’s hoping to be lined up against the best wideout on the Bengals this Sunday. That would be Ja'Marr Chase and Ramsey said he’ll be ready for the rookie while noting that he’ll go anywhere the team wants him to go during the game. “Of course, that’s what I’m asking for,” Ramsey said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. “That’s what I want. Whoever you think their best man is, put me on him. Let me help the team win this game. That’s what it’s all about. There are different areas where we might have to do something different because it might put the team in a better position to win. So, wherever the game may take us, it will take us and we are going to do what we’ve got to do from there. But you’re going to get to see that matchup, you’re going to have the opportunity to see it and I’m going to be ready for it.” The Rams have used Ramsey in a variety of ways this season and it’s brought them great results, so it seems likely that they won’t box themselves into any one approach when it comes time to face the Bengals. PFT
Joe Burrow confident Bengals offensive line will rise to challenge against ferocious Rams pass rush Joe Burrow's team is on a path that has proven to be destined for the Super Bowl, but it hasn't come without its fair share of bumps and bruises. Despite averaging the sixth-fastest time to throw in the NFL, Burrow has been sacked more than any other quarterback this season (51 times). That reality hasn't proven to be fatal -- at least not yet -- as Burrow weathered nine sacks in the Divisional Round and still found a way to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a last-second victory over the top-seeded Tennessee Titans. A week later, he was sacked just once, and the Bengals overcame an 18-point deficit to upset the defending AFC champion Chiefs in Kansas City. The key to beating the Bengals to this point hasn't been getting after Burrow, even if it defies modern football logic. But that could change in Super Bowl LVI when Burrow's Bengals face a ferocious Los Angeles Rams defense that includes all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald and veteran edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Von Miller. "They're a very good defensive front," Burrow said Monday during Super Bowl LVI Opening Night. "It's going to be a challenge for our guys, but they've worked really hard to put themselves in this position. And I know that our coaching staff has a great plan for them that they're going to be able to go out and execute. But obviously, guys like Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, Von Miller are guys that are going to get pressure." These Rams have certainly gotten pressure to this point. After finishing the regular season with the team's lowest QB pressure rate of the Next Gen Stats era (dating back to 2016), the Rams have compiled a quarterback pressure rate of over 31 percent in the playoffs, and they've harassed every quarterback they've faced in the postseason to this point. Kyler Murray, Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo all faced the third-highest or higher pressure rate in a single game in their individual careers against Los Angeles in these playoffs, and the Rams are allowing an incredibly low opposing passer rating of 10.8 when they register a pressure. Miller has turned around his season, recording 14 QB pressures in the playoffs and tying with San Francisco's Nick Bosa for the most among postseason participants. He's nearly doubled his QB pressure rate from the regular season to the playoffs, improving from 9.8 percent to 18.4 percent. Donald has been steady as usual, ranking fourth in the NFL with 77 QB pressures (including playoffs), though his 11 percent pressure rate is his lowest in the Next Gen era. The numbers don't lie: The Rams have been getting after opposing quarterbacks and are reaping the benefits. They'll hope to implement the same approach against an incredibly cool quarterback in Burrow. Burrow was a sharp passer under pressure before the Bengals reached the postseason, posting a passer rating over 94 and a completion percentage over expected of +8.7 percent. Both were top-three marks in the NFL in the regular season. But since the playoffs began, Burrow hasn't been as effective when under duress. His completion percentage over expected has fallen to -6.4, while his passer rating has dropped drastically to 40. The right side of the Bengals' line has proven to be a weakness, with guard Hakeem Adeniji -- who is still fairly new to the position -- and tackle Isaiah Prince each ranking in the bottom 10 in pressure rate allowed at their respective positions, per Pro Football Focus. Cincinnati has even turned to rookie Jackson Carman to replace Adeniji at times with the hopes of improving their pass-blocking efforts. Still, the Bengals have found ways to win in at least two games in which Burrow was sacked five or more times, going 2-4 in such contests. Both victories came on last-second field goals. "It's going to be how, one, I handle the pressure -- how I'm able to get the ball out of my hands and get it to my playmakers in space," Burrow said. "And two, how we're going to be able to handle them up front. I have the utmost confidence in our offensive line to make it happen." Much of that has to do with Cincinnati's defense, which stiffened in the second half of the AFC Championship Game to buy the Bengals time to mount a comeback. It also has to do with Burrow's calm nature even in the face of significant pressure, which is remarkable when considering Burrow is the first quarterback to be sacked 50-plus times in the regular season and reach the Super Bowl in NFL history, and is also the first quarterback to be sacked 12 times in the playoffs since Donovan McNabb in 2003. That number 12 might be magical: It's the same total for most sacks taken by a quarterback who went on to win the Super Bowl. Jim Plunkett (1980) and Bart Starr (1967) share that strange accomplishment. Burrow could be the third if he avoids being sacked Sunday. The numbers say that likely won't be the case, but if he does emerge victorious while also taking at least one sack, he'll make additional history. NFL.com
Long article, but its key, in my opinion. The game will be won by the team that controls and wins the trenches. Something im looking forward to seeing.
Top picks Burrow, Stafford take different Super Bowl paths Joe Burrow got to the Super Bowl faster than any other No. 1 pick quarterback. Matthew Stafford’s journey from top pick to the title game has taken longer than any other quarterback. A rare Super Bowl meeting between No. 1 pick quarterbacks provides quite a contrast for their paths. Stafford and Burrow will be the 10th and 11 quarterbacks among the 26 taken with the top pick in the common draft era to start in the Super Bowl. This marks just the second time in NFL history that No. 1 pick QBs squared off in the Super Bowl, with Peyton Manning and the Broncos beating Cam Newton and the Panthers six years ago. Manning is one of just six former No. 1 pick quarterbacks to start and win a Super Bowl, having done it with his original team in Indianapolis and then again in Denver. The only other ones to do it with the team that drafted them like Burrow is attempting to do are Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw. Eli Manning and John Elway won where they began their careers, but were acquired by the Giants and Broncos in trades after being picked by the Chargers and Colts. The other No. 1 pick champion was Jim Plunkett, who won two titles for the Raiders after being drafted by New England. Burrow has gotten to the Super Bowl faster than any other No. 1 overall pick, doing it in his second season. Jared Goff got there for the Rams in his third season, while Eli Manning, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Aikman and John Elway all got there in year four. A win on Sunday would put Burrow in some special company, joining Tony Dorsett, Charles Woodson and Reggie Bush as the only players to win a Heisman Trophy and national championship in college, along with a Super Bowl in the pros. Stafford had a much longer wait to get to this stage, taking until year 13 to get to the Super Bowl — longer than any other top pick who eventually made it that far. Stafford’s 49,995 yards passing and 323 TD passes are the most for a QB making his first Super Bowl appearance. If Stafford wins on Sunday, it would be the second-longest wait for a QB to win his first Super Bowl, trailing only Elway who won his first in his 15th season after losing three times. Burrow and Stafford also got here after leading the NFL in sacks and interceptions, respectively. Burrow is the first QB to make it to the Super Bowl after getting sacked the most in the regular season. Stafford, who tied for the most interceptions, is the third player to get that far after throwing the most INTs. Eli Manning was also tied for the most in 2007 on the way to the title, while Jim Kelly led in 1992 when the Bills lost their third straight Super Bowl. AP
Bengals defense wants to keep the turnovers coming The Bengals won three one-score games in the AFC playoffs to advance to the Super Bowl and a late takeaway by their defense was a part of each victory. Linebacker Germaine Pratt picked off Raiders quarterback at the goal line to seal a Wild Card round win, linebacker Logan Wilson came up with an interception to set up Evan McPherson‘s game-winning field goal against the Titans, and safety Jessie Bates deflected a Patrick Mahomes pass to cornerback Eli Apple in overtime of their win over the Chiefs. They’ve forced four other postseason turnovers and Apple said on Wednesday that “we like that” it has come down to the defense making those kinds of plays. Pratt echoed his teammate’s feeling about the defense’s role in the run to the Super Bowl. “Each game came down to the defense making a huge play,” Pratt said. “Defense wins championships. . . . All the guys in the locker room are prepared for the moment. As a defensive player, you want to be on the field to make that play to change the game or win us the game. I think we showed the last three games that the defense is ready to keep on making plays and win the game.” The Rams turned the ball over four times in their divisional round win over the Buccaneers, which allowed Tampa to make it a game after falling behind 27-3, but they’ve only had one other giveaway in the postseason. If the Bengals defense can change that, they’ll have boosted their chances of winning the game once again. PFT
Cam Akers returns to a full practice; Tyler Higbee remains out Rams running back Cam Akers returned to a full practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Akers left the NFC Championship Game with a shoulder injury and later returned, but he played only 30 of 77 snaps with Sony Michel playing 44. Receiver Van Jefferson (knee) also was upgraded from limited in Wednesday’s walk-through to a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (chest) had a limited practice, his first practice since straining a pectoral muscle late in the divisional round victory over the Buccaneers. He was inactive for the NFC title game. The rest of the team’s report remained the same as Wednesday, and that’s bad news for tight end Tyler Higbee. Higbee remained out of practice with a knee injury. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (shoulder) and left tackle Andrew Whitworth (quadriceps) had full practices as did defensive back Grant Haley (quadriceps), safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (elbow). PFT
