Legacy 🔥n Fire Presents: Super Bowl LXI Predictions (2-12-22)
By: James Brown
Headline Photo Credit: CBS Sports
​The stage has been set and it’s time to see who will win the Lombardi trophy as the Cincinnati Bengals will face off against the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams have had an incredible playoff run led by their star quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford. This game will also feature Rams’ coach Sean McVay taking on one of his proteges in Bengals’ coach Zac Taylor. SoFi stadium will be packed on Sunday and everyone will be pumped to see hopefully the best game of the year.
​The Cincinnati Bengals’ Cinderella story has another chapter to be written as the Bengals have made it to the biggest for the third time in franchise history and the first time since 1988. Joe Burrow has been the sparkplug that drives the Bengals. His poise and leadership have rallied his team around him and that has fed into overcoming setbacks and adversities such as the 21-3 hole they found themselves in at halftime of the AFC Championship game. This team believes they can win and they can beat any team that lines up across from them. They will need that confidence if they are to beat the NFC Champion Rams.
​The Los Angeles Rams have made it to the big game for the second time under coach Sean McVay. With the experience and knowledge from their disappointing loss against the Patriots back in 2019, you can bet McVay will have a team more prepared than ever. The Rams’ win-now approach has paid off for them as their additions of QB Matthew Stafford, CB Jalen Ramsey, and Edge rusher Von Miller have helped in putting their team over the hump. McVay’s offense has taken new heights with Matthew Stafford at the helm running the show. Stafford’s play has also been elevated by the weapons he’s had at his disposal this season with Cooper Kupp dominating defenses and the late addition of Odell Beckham Jr as well. It also helps to have Aaron Donald leading the way for your defense. You can bet Donald will be hungry for a W on Sunday as a win on the biggest stage will help his argument as the Greatest Defensive Player to ever play the game.
​The offense is the main flavor for both of these teams and hopefully, we will see some fireworks on Sunday. Burrow and Stafford have been crucial at making big throws for their teams when needed. They both also have a plethora of weapons to break the game open. Burrow has been dialing it up this season whether it’s been Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, or CJ Uzomah the Bengals’ playmakers have been money. Oh, and did we mention that if all else fails he just hit RB Joe Mixon on a check-down or handoff. Cooper Kupp has been electrifying all season leading the Rams’ receiving core and coming through in the clutch when Stafford’s needed him. OBJ is no slouch, as well as transition to Los Angeles, has revived his spirits and career. Stafford also has the option to hit speedster Van Jefferson who shows a knack for breaking games open stretching the defense on deep throws.
​Like most of the games, this postseason sees this game coming down the last team to possess the ball will be the winner. The Bengals defense will need to step up once again to have a chance at winning. While the Rams defense will have to slow down the Bengals mojo and create extra possessions for their offense. When the dust settles and the confetti comes raining down, I do believe it will be the Los Angeles Ram that will be crowned Champions of the 2022 NFL Season. The Rams have the better overall team and coaching staff in my opinion and their previous experience from playing in this game I believe will propel them to victory. I’ll take the Rams 35-28 over the Bengals.
