The Los Angeles Rams, not up to 11 months after a franchise-altering acquisition of Matt Stafford, are one win clear of capping off a season worthy of a Hollywood screenplay.
In the meantime, the Cinderella Cincinnati Bengals plan on surprising the soccer global one remaining time to conclude some of the extra incredible championship runs in NFL historical past.
With the large sport Sunday, here is a nearer take a look at how those golf equipment examine in 4 key statistical spaces, to peer who may have the brink in Tremendous Bowl LVI.
WHO HAS THE EDGE IN THE PASSING GAME?
MATTHEW STAFFORD’S 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Report: 12-5 | 3-0
Yards: 4,886 (287.4 YPG) | 905 (313.7 YPG)
Completions: 404/601 (67.2%) | 72/100 (72.0%)
Touchdowns: 41 | 6
Interceptions: 17 (maximum in NFL) | 1
Occasions sacked: 30 | 5
QB score: 102.9 | 115.6
Stafford’s best regular-season objectives
Cooper Kupp: 145 receptions on 191 objectives, 1,947 yards, 16 TDs (17 video games)
Van Jefferson: 50 receptions on 89 objectives, 802 yards, 6 TDs (17 video games)
Tyler Higbee: 61 receptions on 85 objectives, 560 yards, 5 TDs (15 video games)
Stafford’s best post-season objectives
Cooper Kupp: 25/32, 386 yards, 4 TDs
Odell Beckham Jr.: 19/23, 236 yards, 1 TD
Tyler Higbee: 9/14, 115 yards, 0 TD
To the wonder of completely no person, Matthew Stafford’s adventure west to Los Angeles was once the most efficient factor that would’ve took place to each the quarterback and his new crew. With Sean McVay and the Rams, Stafford ranked 3rd league-wide in passing yards and 2nd in landing throws.
However the giant query that accompanied the Stafford-McVay union wasn’t about whether or not the duo may rack up yardage and regular-season wins. The query, in particular round Stafford, was once whether or not the longtime Lion would be capable to win in tight within the playoffs – and the solution, as we realized along with his late-game reference to Cooper Kupp in Tampa and once more in a detailed one in opposition to the 49ers per week later, is a powerful sure.
Whilst Kupp is the overpowering favorite of Stafford’s guns, the sphere in the back of him has been somewhat of a rotation due to accidents and new acquisitions. Large receiver Robert Woods tallied 45 catches on 69 objectives for 556 yards and 4 touchdowns in 9 video games sooner than taking place with a season-ending damage. That ranks him as Stafford’s fourth-most focused receiver. Odell Beckham Jr.’s arrival couldn’t have come at a greater time – he tallied 27 catches on 48 objectives for 305 yards and 5 TDs in 8 steady season video games upon arrival, and has been sharp within the playoffs. (ES)
JOE BURROW’S 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Report: 10-6 | 3-0
Yards: 4,611 (288.2 YPG) | 842 (280.7 YPG)
Completions: 366/520 (70.4%) | 75/109 (68.8%)
Touchdowns: 34 | 4
Interceptions: 14 | 2
Occasions sacked: 51 | 12
QB Score: 108.3 | 96.2
Burrow’s best regular-season objectives
Ja’Marr Chase: 81 receptions on 128 objectives, 1,455 yards, 13 TDs
Tee Higgins: 74 receptions on 110 objectives, 1,091 yards, 6 TDs
Tyler Boyd: 67 receptions on 94 objectives, 828 yards, 5 TDs
Burrow’s best post-season objectives
Ja’Marr Chase: 20/27, 279 yards, 1 TD
Tee Higgins: 14/23, 209 yards, 0 TDs
C.J. Uzomah: 13/16, 135 yards, 1 TD
Burrow had the league’s highest of entirety proportion and led the NFL in yards in step with try throughout his very good sophomore season. He was once additionally sacked greater than every other QB this yr, which will likely be an glaring space the Rams will glance to take advantage of on Sunday.
We’ve recognized for some time the 2020 first-overall select possesses the snatch gene. He’s simply two seasons got rid of from a countrywide school identify with LSU through which he outduelled Trevor Lawrence within the championship sport, throwing for 463 yards, 5 TDs and including any other 58 yards and one speeding rating. Burrow’s best goal that sport? Simply his ol’ friend Ja’Marr, who completed that sport with 221 yards and a couple of tuddies on 9 catches.
Chase, the league’s offensive rookie of the yr, is the largest danger to stretch the sphere, however with out Higgins’s 13 catches for 199 yards over the last two video games, the Bengals would already be at the golfing route. Tight finish C.J. Uzomah (13 catches, 135 yards and a TD within the first two playoff video games) has additionally been snatch for Burrow, however a knee damage has his standing doubtful. (MJ)
WHO HAS THE EDGE IN THE RUSHING GAME?
RAMS’ 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Yards: 1,683 (99 YPG) | 283 (94.3 YPG)
Carries: 420 (4.0 YPC) | 97 (2.9 YPC)
Touchdowns: 10 | 2
Rams’ steady season RB1: Sony Michel (208 carries, 845 yards, 4 TDs, 1 FUM)
Rams’ post-season RB1: Cam Akers (54 carries, 151 yards, 0 TDs, 2 FUMs)
The 2021 season has been a story of 2 operating backs for the Rams. After Cam Akers tore his Achilles in the summertime, the membership rushed to obtain Sony Michel from New England.
Akers’ tale of his triumphant go back, alternatively, virtually resulted in tragedy – two times! – in Tampa when he became over the ball on a couple of fumbles. He earned again the crew’s believe per week later, however with extra damage troubles affecting his practices (shoulder, this time), it is arduous to know the way closely the Rams will lean on him.
Making an allowance for Michel’s regular-season efforts and Akers’ post-season comeback, it will really feel simplest suitable to peer a tandem way this Sunday … (ES)
BENGALS’ 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Yards: 1,742 (102.5 YPG) | 264 (88.0 YPG)
Carries: 436 (4.0 YPC) | 264 (3.8 YPC)
Touchdowns: 16 | 1
Bengals’ regular-season RB1: Joe Mixon (292 carries, 1,205 yards, 13 TDs, 2 FUM)
Bengals’ post-season RB1: Joe Mixon (52 carries, 190 yards, 1 TD, 0 FUM)
Mixon is coming off a occupation yr and his first Professional Bowl variety and, relying on sport script, will have to see a heavy-yet-less-predictable workload at SoFi.
The Bengals have been extraordinarily repetitive with their play-calling in opposition to the Chiefs within the AFC Championship. They ran the ball with Mixon on first downs a whopping 18 instances they usually have been brief features save for one first-quarter 23-yard burst. Mixon had simplest 3 carries no longer on first downs. Slightly extra selection couldn’t harm.
A lot will likely be made about how closely the Rams D-line outmatches the Bengals O-line on paper, and the reality they jammed the Bucs and 49ers up at the flooring will relative ease. Just right information for the Bengals: They have been outmatched on paper within the trenches maximum weeks, anyway, and proper guard Jackson Carman is the one lineman at the damage record. (MJ)
WHO HAS THE EDGE ON DEFENCE?
RAMS’ 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Passing yards allowed in step with sport: 241.7 (twenty second) | 220.7
Dashing yards allowed in step with sport: 103.2 (sixth) | 54.0
Issues allowed in step with sport: 21.9 (fifteenth) | 18.3
Overall turnovers: 25 (tenth) | 5
Interceptions: 19 (fifth) | 4
Sacks: 50 (third) | 5
Rams’ steady season defensive leaders
Tackles: S Jordan Fuller (113)
Sacks: DT Aaron Donald (12.5)
INTs: CB Jalen Ramsey & S Taylor Rapp (4)
Rams’ post-season defensive leaders
Tackles: DT A’Shawn Robinson & CB Darious Williams (16)
Sacks: LB Von Miller (2)
INTs: LB Travin Howard, CB David Lengthy Jr. & S Nick Scott (1)
The Los Angeles’ fearsome entrance line, led via the principally unblockable Aaron Donald, has been beautiful dominant all season – and that was once even sooner than they went and collected Von Miller. Now? It simply feels downright unfair that one crew will have to boast that will have to pass-rush skill.
Exploiting Burrow’s porous offensive line will likely be a best precedence with each snap, however as we’ve got noticed in those playoffs, that on my own can’t essentially prevent Burrow from running his magic. Can the Rams comprise the nice Chase? L.A. ranked within the backside 3rd of the league in passing yards allowed and Cincinnati’s sturdy receiving corps may turn out problematic. (ES)
BENGALS’ 2021 STATS: (steady season (NFL rank) | playoffs)
Passing yards allowed in step with sport: 248.4 (twenty sixth) | 243.7
Dashing yards allowed in step with sport: 102.5 (fifth) | 127.3
Issues allowed in step with sport: 22.1 (seventeenth) | 19.7
Overall turnovers: 21 (seventeenth) | 7
Interceptions: 13 (seventeenth) | 6
Sacks: 42 (twelfth) | 8
Bengals’ regular-season defensive leaders
Tackles: LB Logan Wilson (100)
Sacks: DE Trey Hendrickson (14.0)
INTs: LB Logan Wilson (4)
Bengals’ post-season defensive leaders
Tackles: LB Logan Wilson (30)
Sacks: DE Sam Hubbard (3.0)
INTs: LB Logan Wilson, S Vonn Bell, S Jessie Bates III, CB Mike Hilton, DT B.J. Hill & LB Germaine Pratt (1)
The Bengals blitzed on simply 20.5 in step with cent of opposing QB dropbacks, which was once 7th fewest amongst all 32 groups throughout the steady season. Regardless of seldom blitzing, Cincy’s defence nonetheless controlled 170 QB pressures, which tied for 7th maximum within the NFL. Since maximum of Stafford’s interceptions and turnover-worthy performs this season passed off when groups didn’t blitz him, this is able to figure out in Cincinnati’s favour.
The Bengals have already got six interceptions within the playoffs, however sooner than shutting down the passing sport, they will have to comprise the various Rams backfield. With 147 of Stafford’s 601 go makes an attempt approaching play-action or RPOs, blending in a success rushes is a will have to for L.A. and Cincy is conscious about that. Stafford threw a league-leading 17 INTs this season, so the Bengals will likely be able to pounce (tiger pun!) on any misthrows. (MJ)
WHO HAS THE EDGE ON SPECIAL TEAMS?
MATT GAY’S 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
FGs made/tried: 32/34 (94.1%) | 7/9 (77.8%)
Longest FG made: 55 yards | 46 yards
XPs made/tried: 48/49 (98.0%) | 9/9 (100%)
JOHNNY HEKKER’S 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Punts: 51 | 10
Yards in step with punt: 44.2 | 45.1
Longest punt: 59 yards | 58 yards
During the steady season, Homosexual was once the league’s maximum dependable area target kicker no longer named Justin Tucker. He isn’t blowing any individual away with crazy-long kicks a los angeles Tucker and Sunday’s opponent in McPherson – he was once maximum continuously utilized in 30- to 39-yard eventualities, when he finished 15 of 15 tries in 2021.
Within the playoffs, Homosexual tried only one area target from 50-plus yards away, and overlooked – in comparison to McPherson’s playoff heroics, it is not arduous to peer the place the momentum lies right here. (ES)
EVAN McPHERSON’S 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
FGs made/tried: 28/33 (84.8%) | 12/12 (100.0%)
Longest FG made: 58 yards | 54 yards
XPs made/tried: 46/48 (95.8%) | 4/4 (100.0%)
KEVIN HUBER 2021 STATS: (steady season | playoffs)
Punts: 66 | 10
Yards in step with punt: 46.4 | 41.4
Longest punt: 61 yards | 57 yards
Huber is certainly one of simplest 3 gamers at the Bengals roster who was once alive the remaining time the franchise made a Tremendous Bowl look, once they misplaced 20-16 to the 49ers in 1989. He additionally occurs to be a Cincinnati local. Can the 36-year-old do his phase and assist his fatherland crew win its first championship?
Even though sticking well timed coffin nook punts can give a contribution to victories, the field-goal fight will probably play a larger position within the sport. Bengals placekicker Evan McPherson has been a revelation this season. He’s no longer in Justin Tucker territory moderately but, however the 22-year-old is easily on his approach to attaining that stage of kicker status.
McPherson hasn’t overlooked a area target or additional level since Week 13, and the 2022 playoffs are shaping as much as be a captivating origins tale for “KickPherson.” (MJ)
