Super Bowl 56 Prep Thoughts

On paper, this should be a good matchup. Super Bowl 56 should be able to have a close matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. Cincy hasn't been to a Super Bowl since 1988 and never won it in their only two appearances prior to this year. Los Angeles was in it last in 2018 and have only won it once in 1999 out of a total of four appearances.

Cincinnati needs to get the ground game going. Joe Mixon needs to play lights out phenomenal football.  The Ram defense will have a field day going after Joe Burrow. They have plenty of choices to throw to. JaMarr Chase will have to make good use of his opportunities. LA's secondary will also have to keep eye on the tight ends and if Mixon busts for a big one. Defensively, it's about stopping Matthew Stafford. Creating enough pressure to make him the Stafford of old and watching who is a potential receiver. 

Which brings me to the LA side on offense. Cam Akers and Sony Michel need to step it up. I believe Cooper Kupp will have a huge game as will Odell Beckham. Stafford has to get comfortable. Expect big plays also from the tight end and receiver Van Jefferson. While I would say the defense should keep close on what Mixon does, the goal should be to rattle Burrow. I'd also would try rattle the rookie kicker Evan McPherson. I got a feeling with how the playoffs have been all month, a kick is going to determine the outcome in a huge way. 

My prediction is 32 to 27 Los Angeles. This could go either way though. Cincinnati has been playing the underdog role greatly. It should be a more exciting matchup compared to the last three Super Bowls.