6 low-key candidates who could be Super
We all know who the stars are for Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Bengals and Rams.
For the NFC champion Rams (15-5) — playing the game in their new stadium in L.A. — it’s QB Matthew Stafford, WRs Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham, and Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller on defense. With the AFC champion Bengals (13-7), it’s QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, RB Joe Mixon and Trey Hendrickson and Jessie Bates on defense.
But it’s a team game and the Super Bowl is known for turning lesser-known players into heroes. With that in mind, who are some of the under-the-radar players on both sides who could end up being a big factor in determining who walks away with the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.
Here are three players from each team to watch out for:
BENGALS TYLER BOYD, WR
With the Bengals, the attention goes to their four dynamic playmakers (Burrow, Chase, Higgins and Mixon). And rightfully so. But Boyd is the slot receiver who makes underneath catches to keep drives alive. He had 828 yards on 67 catches in the regular season and 40 of them went for first downs. Boyd also scored a touchdown against the Raiders in the Bengals home playoff win. A lot of attention will be paid to Cincy’s Big 4 so Boyd will have opportunities to take advantage of favorable coverage.
MIKE HILTON, CB
Most people outside of Cincinnati don’t know who Hilton is, but as the Bengals’ slot corner he will be tasked with the impossible matchup of guarding Cooper Kupp. Kupp secured the triple crown of receiving (145 catches for 1,947 yards with 16 touchdowns) in the regular season. And he has continued his hot play in the Rams’ playoff run with 25 receptions for 386 yards and four touchdowns. Hilton won’t shut down Kupp, but he must prevent Kupp from destroying the Bengals’ defense. It won’t be 1-on-1 as he’ll have safety help, but Hilton must execute against one of the best slot receivers in NFL history.
LARRY OGUNJOBI, DT
The Bengals have allowed 127 rushing yards per game in the playoffs, but the Rams have struggled to run the ball in the postseason. They’re averaging just 2.9 yards per attempt (283 yards on 97 carries). The former Charlotte star produced 44 run stops and nine run stuffs during the regular season. He also finished with seven sacks, so he can get after the passer, too. So the Bengals’ best defensive tackle must be forceful in the run game and make the Rams one-dimensional
on Sunday.
RAMS
LEONARD FLOYD, OLB Donald and Miller are Hall of Fame talents and rightfully earn the bulk of the praise, but Floyd is a premier rusher even if most people outside of L.A. don’t know much about the former Georgia star. He finished with 9.5 sacks during the regular season and netted one against Tom Brady as L.A. stunned the Bucs in the NFC title game to advance to the big game on Sunday. Simply put, the Bengals’ offensive line isn’t good. Burrow was sacked 51 times in the regular season and was sacked nine more times in the divisional round.
The Bengals will have their hands full with Donald and Miller and will send more attention their way so Lloyd will have 1-on-1 opportunities and should dominate. DARIOUS WILLIAMS, CB Ramsey receives a ton of credit because he is arguably the best CB in the NFL. He earned firstteam All-Pro honors again this season, the third of his career. But Williams is no slouch. QBs completed only 60% of their passes during the ‘21 campaign throwing in his direction and he had nine pass breakups. Ramsey is probably going to be matched up with Chase a good amount in the Super Bowl. So if Williams can blanket Higgins, it’ll make Burrow’s job difficult. And if the Rams secondary can make Burrow uncomfortable — and hesitant — that’ll increase their chances of winning.
A’SHAWN ROBINSON, DT
Robinson is one of L.A.’s better run stuffers, he finished the regular season with 49 run stops. The 49ers were bludgeoning teams on the ground throughout the regular season (127 yards per game) and playoffs (137 per game) until they ran into the Rams. The Rams crushed San Fran’s rushing attack in the NFC title game, holding the Niners to a measly 50 yards on the ground. Obviously, the entire Rams’ defensive front played a part in their success. But Robinson’s strongest trait is shutting down rushing attacks. The Rams will need his prowess against Mixon, who finished with 1,205 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns during the regular season.