NFL News: Analyzing Super Bowl LVI Matchup Pitting Bengals Against Rams

The NFL season is set to culminate on February 13 with Super Bowl LVI, and the matchup is finally set as both the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams went on to have statement victories against the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers respectively.

Two years since winning only two games, the Bengals will have their first shot at the title since 1988 after coming back from an 18-point deficit thanks to some crucial mistakes from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City had a golden opportunity to put the game away in regulation as they marched down the field for a potential touchdown strike, but the offense stalled when they were within a few yards of the endzone and Mahomes was unable to haul a big play.

The Bengals' defense, which had been stellar throughout the playoffs, locked down early in overtime and were able to come away with an interception thanks to safety Vonn Bell that set up the 31-yard game-winning field goal from Evan McPherson.

As for the Rams, their chances of winning against the 49ers looked to be done after falling in a 10-point hole entering the final quarter.

However, a quick touchdown in their first drive of the fourth quarter brought them back into the game and their defense came alive at just the right time, shutting out the 49ers.

Gambling on bringing in longtime Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in a massive offseason trade and Odell Beckham Jr. in early November, the Rams will have an opportunity in bringing home their second Super Bowl trophy since winning it in 1999.

Both teams possess an explosive offense that is led by a quarterback that can throw a deep ball accurately whilst also being highly capable of reading opposing defenses quickly from the line of scrimmage.

In terms of defense, they are both ranked in the middle of the pack as a whole by Lineups.com.

However, the most important matchup that football fans should be on the lookout for is the Rams’ defensive line going up against the Bengals’ offensive line.

All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald will once again be leading the Rams’ defense in pressuring Burrow into making mistakes, but it would still be a difficult day in the office for the Rams as the latter is able to fend off the sacks as seen in his performance against the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.

If worse comes to worst and the Bengals' offense stalls because of the Rams’ defensive pressure, they will have to hope that their rookie kicker McPherson continues his hot streak when it matters most.

The lone kicker selected in the 2021 NFL draft, McPherson is yet to miss a field goal in the postseason in 12 attempts (the most made all-time by a rookie in the postseason) and can be relied upon in clutch situations.

Against the staunch Rams defense, McPherson may need to prepare himself to kick some deep balls which he has been able to do this postseason with his longest field goal make being a 54-yarder.

Super Bowl LVI will be happening at the Rams’ home field of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.