Albany Times Union (Sunday)

Veteran Rams versus the upstart Bengals

Both won division title, were No. 4 seeds, but similariti­es end there

- By Barry Wilner

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 Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Oh, yeah, that happens to be the Rams’ new home.

When Cincy has the ball

Burrow and Chase 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 TD 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 L.A. 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, LB Leonard Floyd and revitalize­d Von Miller, the MVP of the 2016 Super Bowl, must be negated somewhat. If the Bengals’ offensive line 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 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 and Tee Higgins, and their battles with the rest of the secondary could be significan­t.

RB Joe Mixon, who ranked third with 1,205 rushing yards, can wear down defenses, but L.A. ranked sixth vs. the rush.

When L.A. has 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, who remains a stud at age 40.

Much more recently came QB Matthew Stafford, RB Sony Michel and WR Odell Beckham Jr. 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. 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.

Cincinnati is stronger at safety with Vonn Bell, whose pick of

Patrick Mahomes set up the winning field goal for the AFC title, and Jessie Bates III (30). They also must account for Beckham, who seems to be reenergize­d, and Van Jefferson.

Michel and Cam Akers, 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, and DE Sam Hubbard, who was terrific against the Chiefs.

The Bengals don’t have a linebacker in Miller’s class, but Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt have made some key plays in the postseason.

Special teams

It’s all about rookie Evan McPherson. The fifth-round draft choice has hit all 12 of his field goals, including four in the wild-card round, then winners at Tennessee and K.C.

P Kevin Huber did not have a particular­ly strong season, but he’s a veteran who has kicked in the postseason before.

L.A.’s Matt Gay is steady enough, and he also has two straight winning field goals in the playoffs.

P Johnny Hekker has been one of the league’s best punters for a decade, and is a threat on fake punts.

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 also have the bitter memory of a putrid effort 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 close losses to the dynastic 49ers. They also hadn’t won a playoff game since 1991. What do they have to lose now?

 ?? Emilee Chinn / Associated Press ?? L.A.’s Cooper Kupp, left, had 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. Cincy’s Ja’Marr Chase had 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs.
Emilee Chinn / Associated Press L.A.’s Cooper Kupp, left, had 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. Cincy’s Ja’Marr Chase had 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs.
 ?? Jason Behnken / Associated Press ??
Jason Behnken / Associated Press

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States