4) The Rams’ pass rush must go off. There will be no bigger mismatch in this game than the one featuring the Los Angeles defensive line against the Cincinnati offensive line. The Rams ranked third in the NFL with 50 sacks this season. The Bengals ranked third in the league in sacks allowed, with 55. As much as this Super Bowl will feature plenty of storylines about the quarterbacks, the outcome really could come down to how often Cincinnati can keep the Rams from harassing Burrow. The first problem is obvious: Figuring out how to contain All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. He is the key to everything the Rams want to do up front, and his relentless interior pressure can keep any talented quarterback from enjoying a good night’s sleep prior to facing him. The Rams also have seen a rejuvenated Von Miller since he arrived in a midseason trade, while Leonard Floyd is a constant threat off the opposite edge. The Bengals have proven they can still thrive when Burrow is under duress. The Titans sacked him an NFL-record nine times in the Divisional Round, and he still completed nearly 76 percent of his passes. Cincinnati also used an excellent game plan to stifle the Chiefs’ pass rush, as Kansas City only sacked Burrow once Sunday. The Rams, however, are a different animal. They’ve relied on their defensive front four to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks all season. They’ll now have the chance to do that one more time against an offensive line that doesn’t have close to the level of individual talent and a quarterback who can be prone to holding the ball too long.
5) Evan McPherson has to stay hot. McPherson was the only kicker selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. That fifth-round pick has proved to be invaluable. McPherson launched himself into the record books during Sunday’s win over Kansas City, as his 12 made field goals are the most all time in the postseason by a rookie kicker. He hasn’t missed a kick in the playoffs (which includes four field goals in each of Cincinnati’s three wins so far). He’s actually connected on 35 of his last 37 attempts going back to Week 6. It’s ironic to think that McPherson started that stretch of success after missing a potential game-winner in an overtime loss to Green Bay in Week 5. He’s been nothing but nails ever since, with the deciding points in Cincinnati’s last two playoff wins coming courtesy of his right leg. We’ve already talked about the Bengals’ offense and defense. McPherson’s consistency proves how strong this team is in all three phases of the game.