Los Angeles Rams 27-24.

Very deserving!

8 hours ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Very deserving!

Let's make that his last trophy this year!

But for real, a great accomplishment for what everyone seems to say is a great man.

How horrified are Bengals fans that I'm picking them to win?

On 2/8/2022 at 12:40 PM, Voice of Reason said:

Tidbits heard today:

If the Bengals win, Burrow will be the first QB ever to win a NCAA title, the Heisman and the Super Bowl.

CJ Uzomah said he is planning to play in the game.

If the Bengals win, all three QB's who won the NCAA title and the Super Bowl are named Joe (Namath Bama/Jets, Montana ND/49'ers and Burrow LSU/Bengals).

 

Note:  Some people recognize Ken Stabler's Junior Year Crimson Tide as the 1966 national champion but officially Michigan State and Notre Dame shared the title.  I agree the Tide were robbed but, it is what it is.  Stabler then went on to win for the Raiders.

Also, some people believe Theismann's 1970 Notre Dame was the national champion and he went on to win the Super Bowl with Washington.  That would make four Joe's.

I just saw a report that said the cheapest verified resale ticket for the Super Bowl was $3400. 

From Fox10phoenix.com:

The formation for the Super Bowl will include a P-51 Mustang, A-10C Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and a F-35A Lightning II.

 

The matchup I am most interested in watching is Sean McVay versus Lou Anarumo. McVay is seen as an offensive genius across the NFL. What Lou did to the Chiefs in the second half is getting accolades. But that isn't the first time we have seen the genius of Anarumo displayed. The first game that really got my attention on what Lou was doing was the first time the Bengals played the Ravens in 2020. Yes, the Ravens won that game rather easily 27-3. But the Bengals defense held Lamar to 3 rushing yards in that game. The way they were schemed to stop Lamar was impressive. The Bengals were still a bad team at that point but Lou got that defense to do something that really stood out.

So I am going to give you some stuff you haven't heard yet from all these analysts. They are totally fixated on the QB's, Bengals o-line vs Rams d-line, et al and keep repeating the same stuff like it is some media mantra. Let's take a deeper dive into a big thing to watch in this game.

Lou's Bengals Defense

Like I said, when the Bengals defense destroyed the Chiefs vaunted offense in the second half and enabled the Bengals to get the comeback win, Lou finally got some attention. But we have seen that all year. The Bengals defense is the best in the NFL in points allowed in the 3rd quarter. They only allow 2.5 points per game in the 3rd quarter. Second place is the Bills. Third place is Green Bay. The Bengals are 3rd in second half points allowed behind New England and Buffalo. Those defenses get all kinds of recognition. Where is the love for this Bengals defense? 

The love isn't there because this Bengals defense is still developing overall. They picked up some great pieces in the off season. But look at the first half points allowed. The Bengals are #21 in 1st quarter points and #23 in 2nd quarter points. They are #25 in 1st half points allowed. The Bengals are not an overwhelming, talented defense. Go from those first half numbers to the second half numbers. The excellent 3rd quarter and 2nd half points allowed further show the genius of Lou. It also shows that while this defense doesn't have studs like the Rams defense, it is a smart defense that can take Lou's halftime adjustments and make them work.  Lou works his magic at halftime - shown in bold in the Chiefs 3rd quarter. From the first half stats to #1 in the 3rd quarter and #3 in second half points allowed - the Bengals 2nd half defense against the Rams offense is at the top of the list in important matchups in this game.

Lou will get tested by McVay in this game. The Rams are one of the best second half offenses in the NFL. They are #6 in 2nd half points scored. The first half is going to set the table. The entree is arriving in the 3rd quarter. Add in very importantly that the Bengals offense has been one of the best in the NFL in scoring on their first possession of the second half. But most importantly, what Lou and Sean do in halftime adjustments is going to be the filet mignon of this game. 

I don't bet on anything. I think it is a waste and a distraction. Sorry to all of you who enjoy it. But I will share this, purely from the perspective of the Bengals chances to win. 

Since 2010, underdogs of 3 points or more are 5-1 in the Super Bowl and the only loss is when the Falcons blew that 28-3 lead.

 

Game Day Ladies and Gents. Just threw a pork shoulder in the Smoker!

Lets all make it a great day! Who Dey!

This is above and beyond Christmas morning. ?