BENGALS +4
Nobody expected the Bengals to get this far, they won a great AFC North and have a very young team. They have been red hot in the playoffs and upset better teams with more overall talent.
The Bengals beat the Titans (#1 Seed) and Chiefs (#2 Seed). A lot of people are overlooking the beat on the Titans . The Titans have one of the best defenses in the league, very similar to the Rams. The Chiefs laid the hammer on the Bengals in the 1st half and it looked like it was over, the Bengals came back and the most impressive thing about that game was the half time adjustments to shut down Mahomes in the 2nd half.
You can argue with ease that the Bengals faced a tougher schedule than the Rams.
Strength of Schedule:
Bengals (#4) Seed Rams (#4) Seed
Raiders (#5) Cardinals (#5)
Titans (#1) Buccaneers (#2) The Bucs didn't have their two best receivers.
Chiefs (#2) 49'ers (#6)
Team Analysis:
Rams
Pros
The offense and defense is packed full of superstars.
The coach is young, but you could argue a top 5 head coach. Has already won a super bowl.
Has beat each team they played in the playoffs with not much sweat.
Cons
Matt Stafford (QB) is going to make mistakes.
The Rams are not as disciplined as the Bengals, expect game changing flags.
Takes their foot off the gas when they have a lead.
Bengals
Pros
Joe Burrow won a college national championship, is already in the superbowl. 2nd year in the NFL.
The Bengals kicker is clutch.
The Bengals organization plays well as a unit.
Cons
Weak Oline.
Not many superstars on the roster.
The strength of the coaching staff is unknown.
In conclusion it comes down who is going to make less mistakes. I feel like the Rams are going to have some very, very, bad flags on them. Their team has character issues with all the superstars. Secondly, Matt Stafford always chokes big in huge games where the team has to rely heavier on him. I would bet the Bengals +4, but stake had a good promotion. In before fake money.
