The NFL Roundup 2022: Super Bowl LVI Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to a supremely special edition of the NFL Roundup. Because this one… gets to spotlight the big one, the greatest game in all of the land… THE SUPER BOWL! For tomorrow, the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals will take the field at SoFi Stadium to compete for the glorious title of Super Bowl Champion and well, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Super Bowl matchups in years. So, with that in mind, let’s dive right into the big game and preview what you can expect from Super Bowl LVI.

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Super Bowl LVI
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
6:30 p.m. EST – NBC

THE LOS ANGELES RAMS – STRENGTHS
It is definitely safe to say that on paper, the Rams boast the strongest team in this game. Because they have a powerhouse offense that is loaded to the gills with talent at just about every single position, as evidenced by the points they put up per game and the rest of the squad is no slouch either. Because the defense is top notch and boasts a bevy of strong pass rushers and it also doesn’t hurt that their special teams play at a high level as well. So really, the strength of this team is its roster, because it is loaded to the brim with superstars and depth.
 
THE LOS ANGELES RAMS – WEAKNESSES
While this team does indeed boast a bevy of talent and is able to alter the course of the game with its superstars, it has weaknesses like any other team out there, which in this instance, is more psychological in nature. Because there really is sense of invincibility surrounding this team, as though no one can stop them and that’s a mindset that has brought them trouble in the past. For when a team stands up to them and reminds them of the fact that they are human and can make mistakes… they do, and they are often costly in nature and if this team were to make enough of them, they could deny the Rams a chance at glory.
 
THE CINCINNATI BENGALS – STRENGTHS
There is one reason and one reason alone as to why the Bengals are in the Super Bowl, their offense. Because Joe Burrow and his boys are as dynamic as they come and Burrow’s ability to get the ball out quick… to his dynamic wide receiver, allows for this team to score at will, and the wonder of this offense goes beyond its quarterback and passing game. For the run game is pretty stout as well, since Joe Mixon has the power and strength to blast through a defensive line and beyond. Which means that by land or by sea, the Bengals will find a way to score, and this has served them well in the postseason, as evidenced by the Lamar Hunt Trophy that is now on display at team headquarters.
 
THE CINCINATTI BENGALS – WEAKNESSES
While the offense is indeed a sight to behold in regard to the Bengals, it is the other side of the ball that is of concern for them. Because their bend but don’t break mentality on defense and lack of top tier players there, has put them in grave trouble at times and cost them games. Not to mention, their vaunted offense also happens to boast a few red flags as well. Because that offensive line can be quite suspect at times and their inability to protect their prize quarterback or develop a solid pocket for him, has come back to bite them more often than they’d like.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
If the Los Angeles Rams want to win this game, the key to doing so is simple. In that, they need to neutralize the Bengals offense. Which means the defensive line has to contain Mixon when the run game is in play and the team has to double team Ja’Marr Chase and generate pressure on Joe Burrow. Once they do that and keep the offense sputtering, Matthew Stafford and his offense can go to work and pick apart the soft Bengals defense and generate some points and if they stick with this plan to a tee, the Rams can lock up their first Super Bowl Championship of the 21st Century.
 
As for the Bengals, their path to victory is also simple. In that, the defense and the offensive line are going to have to step up like never before. Because the Rams have studied their shortcomings in great detail and if they cannot generate a pass rush and the defense shuts down Stafford and Cooper Kupp… the Rams will get flustered, fast. Which in turn will allow for Cincinnati to ramp up the pressure and generate some mistakes when Los Angeles lets their frustrations boil over, and if they can make that happen, then it will be the Bengals hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history.