The Super Bowl 56 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams consists of multiple intriguing matchups in every facet of the game. Both teams are solid offensively and defensively and have rosters littered with stars on both sides of the ball.
How will the Bengals’ offensive line, which has struggled to protect Joe Burrow throughout the postseason, slow down Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd and the vaunted Rams pass rush? Will they rely a little more heavily on Joe Mixon running the ball?
Arguably the most intriguing matchups will be how the defenses line up against these elite pass-catching groups. The Rams boast the best wide receiver in the NFL currently in Cooper Kupp with Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson behind him. The Bengals have one of the best trios in the NFL in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Whichever team can figure out a way to hold those star-studded groups in check will put themselves in a position to win the game. During a recent episode of The Richard Sherman Podcast, Richard Sherman spoke about one of the biggest matchups in the Bengals vs. Rams matchup; Chase against Jalen Ramsey.
Chase emerged as a star during his rookie season and Ramsey is not only one of the best cornerbacks in the league, but one of the best overall players. They could match up plenty of times throughout the game, but Sherman is giving the advantage to Chase.
The former All-Pro believes that Chase will have the upper hand in the matchup because the Rams don’t have Ramsay shadowing the opponent’s best receiver. Not having Ramsey manned up on Chase throughout the entire game is why Sherman believes Chase has the edge. It’s definitely the most intriguing thing to keep an eye on between the Rams and Bengals.
Ramsay is too important of a piece to the Rams’ defense to have him shadow a single receiver. He has turned into a versatile weapon, as he lines up all over the field. He has no issues lining up in the slot should Chase be moved there, but he is also used on a lot of blitzes and is a force in the running game.
Los Angeles isn’t going to adjust their game plan just to try and slow Chase down. They didn’t have Ramsay shadow Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk previously in the playoffs and they likely won’t change that game plan now.
They can afford to do that when you have a player as talented as Darious Williams opposite of him. Williams has some physical limitations, standing only 5’9” but opponents haven’t fared too well targeting him while avoiding Ramsey.
The Rams’ defense has performed well during the postseason against some prolific offenses. However, the Bengals’ offense is a different beast. It will be exciting when Chase and Ramsey match up against each other as fans will be treated to two of the best at their respective positions going at it.
