Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Will It Be Rams by 30 Points or Bengals by 1 in Super Bowl?
David-Carr-Thumnail
By David Carr
Published 3 years ago on
February 10, 2022

Share

 

With seemingly half the world flocking to Los Angeles for Super Bowl LVI, I am often asked which team will win come Sunday afternoon.

David Carr

On Football

Whether it’s on the NFL Network, in this column, or interviews with other media, I strive to deliver an unvarnished assessment based on many hours of watching game film.

Old habits die hard for me. As a former NFL quarterback, it’s almost as if re-watching games is wired into my DNA.

So, I’ve seen the Los Angeles Rams at their best and worst. Same for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Heading into kickoff, my prediction is bold but comes with a hedge, nonetheless: Rams by 30 points or Bengals by 1.

It really stacks up as that kind of game.

Key Matchup No. 1: LA Defensive Front vs. Bengals OL

If you look at Super Bowl history, games pitting a dominant defensive line against a so-so offensive line favor the team with the sack masters.

Six years ago, in fact, Von Miller produced one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history with two strip-sacks of Carolina’s Cam Newton.  The first strip was for a touchdown and the second set up a TD. In all, Miller had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, two hurries, two forced fumbles, and defended a pass in Denver’s 24-10 victory.

Now, Miller plays for the Rams alongside Aaron Donald, the NFL’s human wrecking ball, and they’ll match up with a Bengals offensive line that surrendered nine sacks in their AFC divisional win over Tennessee.

Miller, 32, isn’t as dominant as he once was. But he still commands special attention, which Bengals coach Zac Taylor acknowledged when asked the question.

“There’s no question. Von Miller is Von Miller,” Taylor answered.

And, while Joe Burrow magically found ways to slip from the grasp of Kansas City’s pass rushers two weeks ago, I don’t see Miller or Donald letting him squeeze away.

Thus, if Sean McVay can stay disciplined with his play-calling and Matthew Stafford takes what’s there instead of getting overly aggressive and throwing interceptions, I see the Rams winning big.

Key Matchup No. 2: Ja’Marr Chase vs. Jalen Ramsey

The case for a narrow Bengals victory revolves around the Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase connection.

With his lateral speed and Cincinnati’s effective use of underneath pass routes, Chase can create big problems for Jalen Ramsey, the Rams’ All-Pro cornerback. Moreover, Chase is not the kind of receiver that Ramsey can simply wall off.

The Rams’ strategy will be to prevent the big plays, but if Burrow has time to throw, there’s not a lot that LA can do to stop Chase.

The other thing the Bengals have going for them is tailback Joe Mixon. He has slithered through small cracks, bounced off first contact, and juked defenders in the open field all season long. His vision and understanding of a play’s design are outstanding.

Bottom line: I don’t see Burrow surviving all that he’ll face Sunday. Hats off to him if he finds a way.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) breaks a tackle attempt by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Might Brady Cancel His Retirement?

A lot of great athletes — Michael Jordan, for example — have come back after announcing their retirements.

So, I wouldn’t be shocked if Tom Brady returns to the NFL — although it would take the perfect scenario for that to happen.

After all, he showed again this season why he’s the GOAT with another MVP-caliber performance.

Media whispers that Brady is second-guessing his retirement decision aren’t surprising. Retiring from the NFL is accompanied by an initial shock of not having anything to prepare for. In the NFL, when the year ends, you rest your body and prepare for the next season. Exiting that cycle throws you off-kilter.

After retiring, I remember mountain biking for the first time and thinking it wasn’t safe, that I might bang up my knee. When I told my buddies, they laughed and told me that it didn’t really matter anymore. They were right.

Every retired NFL player faces the challenges of transitioning to a new life. For me, I focused on family, community, coaching my kids, and business ventures. This transition is important because you just can’t sit on the beach and eat chips with guacamole for the rest of your life.

About the Author

David Carr is a former Fresno State quarterback, NFL No. 1 overall draft pick, and Super Bowl champion. Now he’s an analyst for the NFL Network and writing a weekly column in collaboration with GV Wire’s Bill McEwen. The column is sponsored by Valley Children’s Healthcare.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

$165 Billion Revenue Error Continues to Haunt California’s Budget

DON'T MISS

California’s Water Crisis Deepens as San Joaquin Valley Sinks

DON'T MISS

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

DON'T MISS

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

DON'T MISS

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

DON'T MISS

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

DON'T MISS

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

DON'T MISS

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

DON'T MISS

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

DON'T MISS

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

UP NEXT

California’s Water Crisis Deepens as San Joaquin Valley Sinks

UP NEXT

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

UP NEXT

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

UP NEXT

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

UP NEXT

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

UP NEXT

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

UP NEXT

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

UP NEXT

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

UP NEXT

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

UP NEXT

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

12 hours ago

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

12 hours ago

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

12 hours ago

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

13 hours ago

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

13 hours ago

Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor

13 hours ago

Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws

14 hours ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

14 hours ago

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

14 hours ago

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

14 hours ago

$165 Billion Revenue Error Continues to Haunt California’s Budget

History will — or at least should — see a $165 billion error in revenue estimates as one of California’s most boneheaded political act...

25 minutes ago

25 minutes ago

$165 Billion Revenue Error Continues to Haunt California’s Budget

Photo of Friant-Kern Canal
1 hour ago

California’s Water Crisis Deepens as San Joaquin Valley Sinks

11 hours ago

What to Know About Pam Bondi, Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General

12 hours ago

North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility

12 hours ago

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

12 hours ago

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

President Joe Biden with Mary Barra, the chief executive of General Motors, at the Detroit Auto Show, Sept. 14, 2022. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to erase the Biden administration’s tailpipe rules designed to get carmakers to produce electric vehicles, but most U.S. automakers want to keep them. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
13 hours ago

Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles

13 hours ago

President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend