5 reasons Bengals will win Super Bowl 56

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 30: Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates with running back Joe Mixon #28 and wide receiver Tee Higgins #85 after catching a third quarter touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 22: Linebacker Logan Wilson #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals intercepts a Tennessee Titans pass in the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Cincinnati defense makes Rams’ offense one-dimensional

Back to Lou Anarumo’s defensive unit, which finished 18th in the league in fewest yards allowed this season. In 2020, a franchise known for being frugal opened up its checkbook and wooed run-stopping interior performer D.J. Reader away from the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, the underrated performer was limited to only five games. And a defense that had struggled against the run for many seasons allowed the fourth-most rushing yards in the league a season ago.

This year, Reader has stayed healthy for the vast majority of the year. And the Bengals allowed the fifth-fewest yards on the ground this year. Combining that kind of steady play inside with superior edge-rushers such as Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard and the Cincinnati defensive line, which also features tackle B.J. Hill, creates a lot of issues for opposing offenses.

Sean McVay’s Rams finished ninth in the NFL in total offense this season but ranked only 25th in rushing yardage (99.0 average). But it wasn’t for a lack of trying as the team averaged just under 25 running plays per game. And the Los Angeles’ offense has been extremely balanced in the playoffs with 97 running plays and 106 passing plays. Can the Bengals change that on Super Sunday?

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