The culmination of six years of franchisor relocation, numerous setbacks, and steady growth to become a champion is winning the Super Bowl in your luxurious home stadium. It sounds like the Hollywood ending of an inspiring sports movie.
This final act was not written by a hacky screenwriter. This script was written by the Rams.
They’ve won the Super Bowl with bold personnel moves, hard work, perseverance, and a little luck. This is their first NFL championship in 38 years.
Cooper Kupp, the NFL’s receiving kingpin, said that “We had to go a long way” in order to reach this point. “We feel that we have earned the right to be here through hard work. We didn’t get anything just because the Super Bowl is at SoFi Stadium.
Destiny does not win sports trophies. The team with the best players and who plays the best almost always wins.
The Rams may feel like a team of destiny because of their Super Bowl location, their homecoming story, their many stars, and the price they paid for their assembly, but one truth is most important.
They are simply better than the Cincinnati Bengals.
It doesn’t start in the backfields; it starts up front. You shouldn’t be distracted by the Rams’ flashy playmakers, as they should also win the battle for the trenches with Cincinnati.
The Rams’ edge rushers and defensive line are significantly better than the Bengals’ offensive line. This should cause havoc for Joe Burrow’s attempts to do everything.
Burrow will not find it as easy working game-changing magic when Aaron Donald and Von Miller, along with Leonard Floyd, are either weighing down on him for sacks (or forcing him to throw the ball quickly so Cincinnati can count only on short routes), Even the Rams’ run defense is stacked against Joe Mixon, especially if Sebastian Joseph-Day, the top run defender, returns from his long-term injuries and strengthens the line.
Matthew Stafford will have plenty of targets to choose from in Bengals’ inconsistent pass defense. The Rams’ offense line has been quiet solid throughout the season. Los Angeles will likely see Darrell Henderson return from a long-term injury. This gives Sean McVay three playmaking running backs, increasing his play-calling options.
Stafford stated, “If we have all our guys, then we can do many things because that’s quite a few playmakers.” We haven’t been 100% healthy since Robert (Woods) passed away, but we should have enough men to get the job done.
Stafford and the Rams’ stars are aware that it is their time to shine and have outstanding playmakers at all of the key spots.
Burrow’s talent is evident, but Stafford has completed an outstanding regular season with three fantastic playoff games. The 13-year veteran is at his best heading into the Super Bowl. If he passes for 315 yard, it will be the most prolific single playoff season in NFL history.
Stafford is a great thrower downfield for the Rams. They led the league with 40-yard completions (18) while being third with 20-yard completions (65). It’s not difficult to see why the Bengals have been unable to make long gains against their secondary.
Every player wants to win Super Bowl. Stafford feels a sense of urgency, despite a NFL career that began when Burrow was seventh grade.
After winning the triple title of receiving, Kupp is extremely motivated, having missed the Rams’ Super Bowl trip three years ago because of injury. Odell Beckham Jr. can complete his extraordinary half-season of image rehabilitation by a Super Bowl to be remembered.
Donald’s defense teammates made the championship quest of the seven-time All-Pro into one their rallying points, as he attempts the only NFL trophy that has not been won.
If Jalen Ramsey caps his All-Pro season by winning a Super Bowl title, he will be among the most respected defensive backs in his generation. Von Miller, an excellent midseason acquisition as both a leader, and pass rusher, will be able to prove his Hall of Fame merits with a second Super Bowl title.
Do you sense a theme? The Rams have a pressing need to fulfill this Hollywood story in the right way. This is another reason why they are going to win.
The new Bengals are determined to win the Super Bowl. Who wouldn’t want to win the Super Bowl? They are talented, young and capable of surprising the NFL for the third consecutive game.
The Rams must win.
Their return from St. Louis was not easy. McVay’s transformative arrival was made possible by the lows. They’ve given up draft picks and issued contracts to build this amazing roster.
It’ll be a movie for all time when the film ends with the Rams holding the Super Bowl trophy at home.
