Super Bowl weekend is around the corner and marks the beginning of a new era in the NFL. With the retirements in the past year of quarterbacks Drew Brees and Tom Brady – the NFL is set to be inherited by a group of new quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray.
One of those quarterbacks is playing in the Super Bowl. Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are set to face Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals are set to appear in their second Super Bowl in franchise history just one year after going 4-12 and finishing last in the AFC North. The Rams are in their second Super Bowl in five years and are playing in So-Fi stadium, their home arena.
The face-off features many storylines going into the game. Burrow is playing in the Super Bowl one year after his rookie season ended with a torn ACL. Burrow is joined by Ja’Marr Chase – a fellow LSU alumni who set the rookie record for receiving yards in the regular season and in the playoffs.
The Rams this year are in their second Super Bowl under head coach Sean McVay with their own record-breaker at wide receiver. Cooper Kupp was a triple crown receiver this year, leading the league in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns as well as setting the record for the most receiving yards in a single season (including the postseason.)
Experts and fans are split on who is going to win the big game, and the Argonaut newsroom is no different. Here is what some of the staff thinks is going to happen on Super Bowl Sunday.
Mark Warren: “I think the Rams are going to win 28-24. The Rams’ pass rush will beat the Bengals offensive line, not letting Burrow sit in the pocket. He won’t have any time to throw and they will eliminate the explosive plays that have let the Bengals score and win games.”
Daniel Ramirez: “I’m rooting for the Bengals to win. I remember them playing against the Packers this season and the fight they put in that game was amazing. Also, considering that they have never won a Super Bowl, I’m expecting a great game from them against the Rams.”
Brock Craven: “As a Steelers fan, this pains me to say, but I think Joe ‘Burrrrow’ and the Bengals will win this game. That man is ice cold and has the drive to win the Super Bowl. In spite of the Bengals’ issues on the offensive line, Burrow will find a way to make it happen. He will probably haunt the Steelers, and I, for years to come. Bengals 28, Rams 24.”
Teren Kowatsch (me): “Regarding matchups, the Rams’ offensive and defensive lines are both better than the Bengals’. However, Burrow was sacked nine times in the playoff game against the Titans, an NFL record, and the Bengals still found a way to win. ‘Destiny’ is a really tricky (and cliché) word to throw out, especially in sports. But the Bengals run in this year’s playoffs has defied logic. It’s to the point now where I can’t bet against them. I think the Bengals win 20-16.”
Final Staff Predictions: Bengals (3), Rams (1).