Super Bowl LVI Open Discussion

Super Bowl LVI
Super Bowl LVI
Photo: USA Today Sports Images

NFL Super Bowl - Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals face off against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Winners get a shiny trophy with a silver football on top. Use this thread to discuss it.

Comments

328 comments, Last at 14 Feb 2022, 4:48pm

#1 by drobviousso // Feb 01, 2022 - 11:47am

First, a tip of the hat to the thousands of long suffering Bengals fans that have been waiting for a season like this, and the dozens of Rams fans.  In the analytics community, its easy to get obsessed with who is "best" where best really means "plays in a way predictive of future wins" even when we veer dangerously close to making holistic judgements of quality.  But I've become more and more interested in "great" instead of "best".  When your team has a great game, or a great championship, or a great dynasty, it can have a real impact on a lot of human lives out there.  So, here’s praying for a great game! 

Second, I’m glad that Brady, Rodgers, and other lighting rod players aren’t going to be in the Super bowl.  Too many commentators have had their brains eaten lately by recent events, and I’m glad I’ll be able to enjoy the week leading up to the game without that.

Third, I guess the Great Non-Random-Control Trial of Mathew Stafford has at least an intermediate endpoint now.  6th in DYAR, 9th in DVOA, 4th in QBR, 3rd in ALEX and a super bowl appearance.  No variance measure, but I’m not convinced low variance is necessarily a good thing outside of peak Manning/Breese/Brady.  Looks “Good, borderline great, trapped in a bad situation for a long time.”  My of “great” is probably lower than yours if you want to quibble.  I think there are ~5+ great QBs, 10+ great wide receivers, etc. at any one time in the league.

Fourth, speaking of variance, this game feels like a pile of soggy fireworks.  Will it all fizzle, with a few dropped 60 yard head-scratchers and WTF sidearm passes into the back of an offensive guard’s helmet?  Or will it all pop off with Chase running free with the ball in his hand and Stafford turning broken plays into permanent highlight reel throws?  Who know!!?!

Points: 0

#2 by MC2 // Feb 13, 2022 - 4:44pm

I don't have a whole lot original to say about this one.  It really does seem like a game where whichever defense can force the opposing QB into making mistakes figures to win, and both Stafford and Burrow have shown themselves to be more than capable of making big mistakes from time to time.  Having said that, I think the strength of the Rams pass rush, combined with the weakness of the Bengals pass protection, will likely be the difference.  Therefore, my official prediction is: 

Rams 28, Bengals 20

 

 

Points: 0

#3 by theslothook // Feb 13, 2022 - 4:48pm

I predict that if Joe borrow wins the super bowl and just plays okay enough to get the MVP, he will end up on Mike sandos tier 1 quarterback list. 

Other than that fact, I am mildly rooting for the Bengals

Points: 0

#4 by colonialbob // Feb 13, 2022 - 4:56pm

Picking the Rams, rooting for the Bengals, happy for either.

For the Bengals to win, it feels like they need both Burrow to play an excellent game and Stafford (or Akers, based on last game) to give them some gifts. If they don't have both of those things, I just don't see a path. Of course, I didn't see a path to them upsetting the Chiefs at all after going down 21-3, so I'll be preparing for that slice of humble pie just in case.

Points: 0

#5 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:00pm

Greetings from the game. It's currently 84 degrees: out-of-shape middle aged man breaks a sweat while walking up stadium steps weather.

 

 

Points: 0

#9 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:30pm

No. I am hydrating and not leaving my seat much.

Oh, you mean the players? It has been cool in the late afternoons and the humidity ain't bad. 

Points: 0

#8 by jzakour // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:25pm

I like that you took the time to log into FO.com from the site of the super bowl 

Points: 0

#10 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:39pm

In reply to by jzakour

Probably a safer wifi connection than at Levi's.

Points: 0

#7 by Shylo // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:23pm

Rooting for the Rams, not really excited for either team. Can't think of a team that's jumped the shark faster than the Bengals imo, but obviously I'm biased.

Points: 0

#11 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:45pm

Still miffed we missed out on the Bills or Chiefs in the Super Bowl and got the Bengals instead. This game feels more low-wattage than probably three out of the four divisional round games.

I can understand the charm of an underdog to some extent, but it's a lot less charming when they didn't play all THAT well to get advance. Cincinnati came close to losing to a bad Raiders team even with a week of rest. The next two games they were lucky to get the opposing QB to underperform (and the Titans weren't that great anyway). If Mahomes had played like he did against the Bills, the Bengals probably lose by 3 TDs minimum.

That's a big contrast from, say, the 2007 Giants, who had to go through the 13-3 Cowboys and 13-3 Packers even before facing the juggernaut Patriots.

Points: 0

#12 by theslothook // Feb 13, 2022 - 5:56pm

I believe if the 2007 Giants got rolled by a multiple touchdowns like everyone was expecting, we would be lamenting the fact that they got there in the first place by beating two teams that melted down in the prior playoff rounds.

Points: 0

#137 by _Brian // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:30pm

The Pates in 2007 also evaded the strong 13-3 Manning Colts team because of a collapse against the Chargers.

 We’re all lucky the unlikely Giants put a stop to that embarrassing run of dumb luck the Pates were gifted in 2007.

Points: 0

#295 by RickD // Feb 14, 2022 - 12:26am

The Pats had beaten the Colts in the regular season.   

It's a weird definition of "luck" when you bemoan the wrong team winning a game just because you think the loser would be a tougher matchup.  That's not "luck".  The Chargers were a good team.  

Praising the Giants win to stop "dumb luck" is the height of irony.  Go back and look at the helmet catch play, or Samuel's dropped pick, or Stephen Neal getting injured in the 1st quarter.  The Giants were the ultimate beneficiaries of "dumb luck".

Points: 0

#13 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:02pm

Reasons to root for Cincy

  1. Never won a chip
  2. Mike Daniels
  3. Would stop Stafford HOF discourse immediately
  4. Chase>Sewell reach new heights for us nerdz

Reasons not to root for Cincy

  1. Corny Joe "Brrr" memes
  2. Eli Apple keeps talking

Reasons to root for LA

  1. Eli Apple would get roasted
  2. OBJ gets a ring

Reasons not to root for LA

  1. Stafford truthers
  2. LA is an overrated city

Points: 0

#14 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:06pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

I regret to inform you that the Matt Ryan for Hall of Fame discussion is still somehow going strong.

Points: 0

#15 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:22pm

4x the Pro Bowls despite being in the same conference, an MVP, OROTY, Bert Bell, OPOTY.

(hint this is another player that should stop the Stafford discussion even though he's not the best coc...award block)

 

Points: 0

#16 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:34pm

Rivers vs Ryan will be interesting down the road. Especially given SD is unlikely to support his case at this point.

Points: 0

#82 by Theo // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:08pm

Wait. What Matt are we talking about?

I dont think either should go in.

Points: 0

#139 by _Brian // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:33pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

  1. LA is an overrated city

Wrong. LA isn’t a city at all, just a long dystopian sprawl of suburbs.

Points: 0

#17 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:41pm

My head: Rams-Bengals 34-19

My gut: Rams-Bengals 22-26

Like Robot Maria said, the mediator between the head and the gut must be the Bengals' performance on the line on both sides of the ball, or something.

Points: 0

#18 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:45pm

Not in love with shotgun on 4th-1, but maybe it was a long 1 and given their line no one would believe they’d sneak.

Points: 0

#19 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:46pm

After years on streaming, it’s weird sitting through ads again.

Points: 0

#20 by DisplacedPackerFan // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:48pm

First two series defensive fronts dominate. So game will end with a bunch of quick touchdown drives.

Points: 0

#21 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:51pm

And the Lions lead in the Super Bowl!

\ said no one, ever…

Points: 0

#22 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:52pm

I was told OBJ was a cancer. 

Points: 0

#23 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:54pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

It's a miracle what a team change can do.

Points: 0

#24 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:56pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

Great throw and catch. OBJ isn't what he was in New York, but he's still pretty good - with those same ridiculously strong hands, for one thing.

Points: 0

#26 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:58pm

Browns media came here this week with no other job but to harangue OBJ about what went wrong in Cleveland..

Points: 0

#33 by Lost Ti-Cats Fan // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:12pm

Browns media with something to do on Super Bowl week must be a novel experience for them.

Points: 0

#37 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:15pm

They always have something to do, and its rarely worthwhile. At least they didn't send the press pool to hound Goodell about Deflategate like a certain region...

Points: 0

#69 by RickD // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:52pm

An fanbase being upset with the commisioner for perpetrating a fraud.

Or do you not read Florio? Still pretending Deflategate was anything but a lie?

 

Points: 0

#57 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:36pm

The rams worst injury (Woods) got saved by a foolish cut from the Browns. Terrific from LAs part.

Points: 0

#27 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:58pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

He probably kind of is. It just turns out how good a guy is at football is more important to winning football games than his cancerousness. See Owens, Terrell.

Points: 0

#65 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:49pm

Citing published media reports is not character assassination. You are a silly person.

Points: 0

#68 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:52pm

that's the problem with calling someone you don't know a cancer. THAT'S what's silly. I continue to bring the evidence to stop the malicious, at best, accusation. 

Points: 0

#25 by young curmudgeon // Feb 13, 2022 - 6:57pm

Bengals shoulda punted

”ducks, hustles off stage”

Points: 0

#29 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:08pm

Big catch for Chase! 46 yards.

Points: 0

#30 by Lost Ti-Cats Fan // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:08pm

Sometimes one good trick is all you need.  Burrows to Chase is one heck of a good trick.

Points: 0

#31 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:09pm

Holy wow that Chase catch. Dare I say, Beckham-esque.

Points: 0

#32 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:09pm

Chase is amazing. Home run of a pick.

Points: 0

#34 by Lost Ti-Cats Fan // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:13pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

There's no way Sewell makes that catch.  Like, there's just no way.

Points: 0

#36 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:15pm

As someone who thought drafting Chase over Sewell was utterly insane, I'm just having big heaps of crow as my Super Bowl snack.

Points: 0

#39 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:19pm

Cincinnati probably gives up the same number of sacks if Chase starts on the line.

Points: 0

#40 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:19pm

Not Chase.

Getting the ball out quickly to a great WR>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>everything else

Points: 0

#41 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:19pm

"The Rams have already scored more points in this game than in their last Super Bowl appearance."

-Al Michaels, with the body blow

Points: 0

#43 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:21pm

See what a HOF QB can do for you?

Points: 0

#48 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:23pm

McVay is coaching against his baby brother this time, not the monster under his bed. 

Points: 0

#44 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:21pm

13-3. Is the rout on?

Points: 0

#47 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:22pm

Ask the Chiefs or the 49ers.

Points: 0

#45 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:22pm

Does that go down as an INT?

Points: 0

#50 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:27pm

I don't believe so. Just like Peyton Manning's last ever pass wasn't technically a pass attempt since it came on a two-point conversion.

Points: 0

#46 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:22pm

That was one of the more exciting XP attempts I've seen in awhile...

Points: 0

#49 by young curmudgeon // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:26pm

Silverado Sopranos commercial made me stop in my tracks and actually pay attention to an ad.  Loved it.

Points: 0

#51 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:33pm

Same! I thought for a second it was an ad for The Many Saints of Newark on streaming or something, and I was like, "That's weird. Or maybe they're announcing a sequel?" I guess one could say it sort of was.

I have to confess I also liked Schwarzenegger and Hayek as Zeus and Hera. If this were the '90s, they would be making that into a bad movie within a year's time.

Points: 0

#83 by IlluminatusUIUC // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:10pm

It ended with Meadow successfully parking, which I thought was a clever touch

Points: 0

#291 by jonsilver // Feb 14, 2022 - 12:17am

New Jersey highway signs and McDonalds customers' inability to rattle off their desired orders when required to are the two winning commercials of this superb owl...

Points: 0

#315 by mehllageman56 // Feb 14, 2022 - 1:00am

The trailers for the Dr. Strange movie and the new film by Jordan Peele were the highlights for me, mainly because I saw the full trailers on the internet already.

Points: 0

#52 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:33pm

Walkthrough readers and podcasts listeners know what's what with that Mixon TD PASS.

Points: 0

#53 by KaosTheory // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:33pm

Whoever bet the over on 2.5 players to attempt a pass is celebrating right now.

Points: 0

#54 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:33pm

We have a ballgame

Points: 0

#58 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:40pm

Oh boy that doesn't look good for OBJ. Non-contact injuries are always especially scary.

Points: 0

#61 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:46pm

How many more receivers can the Rams lose?

Points: 0

#71 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:53pm

Yeah...................... Van Jefferson's time to shine I guess?

It's worth remembering that OBJ's little renaissance in LA is in no small part because he's the #2 guy feasting on lesser DBs. Without him it's all on Kupp. I wonder if the Bengals might blitz more now that they only have to cover one guy.

Points: 0

#72 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:56pm

In reply to by Spanosian Magn…

Early in the year, was Kupp the #1 or Woods?

Points: 0

#59 by Independent George // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:45pm

That's an arm punt.

Points: 0

#60 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:46pm

Stafford throws a pick!

Points: 0

#62 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:47pm

gonna get paaaaiiiiiiiiiid.

There's the Stafford I know all too well

Points: 0

#63 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:47pm

Well that was a terrible throw from Stafford.

Points: 0

#64 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:48pm

That boiled down to being an arm punt. A bad arm punt, since an actual punt might've got the Bengals pinned inside the 10, but far from a disaster.

Points: 0

#76 by RickD // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:00pm

The Rams had a chance to expand the lead and Stafford tossed it aside.

 

 

 

Points: 0

#84 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:10pm

3rd-14 from the 43?

Points: 0

#66 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:51pm

Vernon Hargreaves got a flag in a game he wasn’t active for.

Points: 0

#67 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:52pm

There’s that Bengals line.

Points: 0

#70 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:52pm

Burrow sacked for the 1st time. 

Points: 0

#73 by Sid // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:59pm

Literally as I making my way through this paragraph, he throws it up for grabs

 

 

"That average depth of target shows how the Rams often used empty backfields to set up their deep shot plays, and you can definitely attack the Bengals deep. Cincinnati ranked 25th in DVOA on deep passes, those over 15 yards through the air. The Rams ranked lower than you might expect but were still good, 12th in offensive DVOA on deep passes. Interceptions were a big reason the Rams did not rank higher. Although we have this mental image of Matthew Stafford throwing pick-sixes close to his own line of scrimmage, he actually led the NFL with 11 interceptions on deep throws."

Points: 0

#74 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:59pm

Jefferson just doesn’t win one on one.

Points: 0

#75 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 7:59pm

Run a real play you cowards.

Points: 0

#79 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:02pm

Forgot to log out of my burner account it seems!

Points: 0

#88 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:23pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

Haha, great minds...

Points: 0

#77 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:01pm

Kneeling. SMH. 

Pour it on LA, no mercy.

Points: 0

#78 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:01pm

No running game and now no OBJ. Prospects not great for a strong Rams offensive showing in the second half.

Points: 0

#81 by justanothersteve // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:07pm

Yeah. Even though LA is up 3, I like Cincinnati's chances. 

Points: 0

#85 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:15pm

No receivers and no running game is still easy mode for Stafford. He has a lead and a defense, which is more than he’s used to.

Points: 0

#90 by justanothersteve // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:29pm

The Rams went 0-2 after the Woods injury while Beckham was being worked into the offense. Just sayin'. 

Points: 0

#80 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:07pm

......was that an ad for a dark and gritty Fresh Prince of Bel Air remake?

Points: 0

#270 by Theo // Feb 13, 2022 - 11:27pm

In between the jokes, FPOBA was already a pretty good story.

 

Points: 0

#86 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:20pm

Haaaaa did Eminem sneak a proper f-bomb in there?

Points: 0

#91 by Mike Tanier // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:31pm

Could not hear it live. But since the over-under was around 9.5 ...

Points: 0

#87 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:20pm

ASAP

Points: 0

#95 by mehllageman56 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:34pm

I was going to argue, but then realized he hasn't put anything out other than a single in 4 years.  Just feels like it's been less because we sell out of his records every time we get them back in stock.

Points: 0

#109 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:44pm

bout needing...less Kendrick? This isn't Eminem we're talkin about

Points: 0

#112 by mehllageman56 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:50pm

Not at all, even though I prefer Vince Staples (different flavor of hip hop, I guess) but for some reason I thought he put out an album every year for four years.  If you count Untitled, Unmastered then it was 3 years in a row and 4 out of 6.

Never been a big Eminem fan, but don't hate him as much as other people.

Points: 0

#89 by theTDC // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:29pm

Fantastic game thus far, with the exception of the Beckham injury. Hate to see something like that.

I have this horrible feeling that the botched by Hekker extra point attempt is going to bite the Rams in the behind at some point. 

Points: 0

#92 by Independent George // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:33pm

Well that escalated quickly.

Points: 0

#93 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:33pm

Well that was fast.

Points: 0

#94 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:34pm

Cincy with the lead! 75 yard TD!

Points: 0

#96 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:35pm

I don't think the facemask made Ramsey fall, that was him being burnt/off-balance. But it should have been a penalty.

Points: 0

#272 by Theo // Feb 13, 2022 - 11:30pm

Hm, he didnt grab the facemask. His sticky gloves made his head turn.

Shoulda been opi

Points: 0

#97 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:36pm

That is about as big of a swing on a blown call as you can get. Instead of a penalty a 75 yard TD.

Points: 0

#98 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:36pm

Jeez...another stafford pick

Points: 0

#99 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:37pm

Stafford meltdown in progress.

Edit: Eh on review that was about 95% on the receiver. It was maybe a skosh too far out front but a pro receiver ought to catch that.

Points: 0

#101 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:38pm

It was tipped... Not really on him.

Points: 0

#100 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:37pm

That non-call is just going to leave such a sour taste in the mouth if the Rams don't come back. They don't get more impactful than that.

Points: 0

#106 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:40pm

And I think they just burnt their makeup call on Donald not getting penalized on the sideline fight there.

Points: 0

#108 by justanothersteve // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:42pm

Agreed. I don't like the Rams (specifically the owner), but that call will now be the new Exhibit A for reviewing certain penalties. 

Points: 0

#113 by Lost Ti-Cats Fan // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:50pm

Yup. Don't know why the NFL makes it so difficult.  You've got the best officials in the league on the field and they can't see a receiver face mask a guy to avoid an INT, turning it into a TD.  But an upstairs official could call that down to the field before the ball is even spotted (or in this particular case since it was a TD, before the team dance in the end zone is completed).

Points: 0

#296 by RickD // Feb 14, 2022 - 12:30am

As Belichick has said many times, everything should be reviewable.  Everybody watching the game knew the officials had blown the call on the Tee Higgins TD.  No sound principle is served by placing that judgment call beyond review.  The rules are written that way to protect egos.  

Gene Steratore said on the radio that the play should have been called back either for a face mask or OPI.  He's a former official.  So he confirms that the call was missed.  How will we all feel after the game if the Bengals had won thanks to a blown call on a 75-yard TD pass?

This situation undermines confidence in the game.  

 

Points: 0

#327 by coltsandrew // Feb 14, 2022 - 1:21pm

I think the biggest problem with that is that you can pretty much guarantee that any coach could win a review if they asked the refs to see if any opponents linemen were holding. By the strictest interpretation of the rules, holding occurs on every play, and guess illegal contact of some sort does as well, so you're basically making those penalties into judgement calls. There's no sense in reviewing matters of judgment, for obvious reasons. But if anything can be reviewed, that just going to clog up the game.

 

My preference is that officials set the tone for judgment calls early in the game, so that any calls late in the game are in keeping with them. If you're letting defenders grab receivers all game, why start calling it best the goal line in the fourth quarter? If receivers can grab face masks when running routes on the first quarter, why not the fourth? I don't really care how ticky-tack the calls are as long as the calls are pretty consistent, and the baseline is established early in the game. Getting particular about contact when the game is late and close just takes me out of the game as a viewer.

Points: 0

#102 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:38pm

Stafford, Stafford, Stafford

What else can I say

Points: 0

#103 by MJK // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:38pm

Holy face mask, Batman!  Or at least OPI. 

Points: 0

#104 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:39pm

Donald completely neutralized so far.

Points: 0

#107 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:42pm

Yeah, if the Bengals win this the o-line is the 5-way MVP. Regardless of who actually gets the shiny hardware at the end.

UPDATE: Mama, the bad man is back again.

Points: 0

#110 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:45pm

NBC can use that blown call to promote the ice dancing they have following the game. "Sure, figure skating judging is famously opaque and corrupt, but hey, whatever they come up with can't be worse than the call you already saw tonight."

Points: 0

#120 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:07pm

The Russian ice dancing coach also coaches the skater up for an emergency doping judgment tomorrow.

Points: 0

#123 by justanothersteve // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:12pm

That's the Russian Olympic Committee ice dancing coach, not the Russians. The Russians aren't there because of doping. That's made all the difference. 

Points: 0

#124 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:14pm

In reply to by justanothersteve

They could be Russia again if they could go a week without someone shooting up.

But would they still be Russian?

Points: 0

#111 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:49pm

My boy Darrell Henderson is back. The BEST Rams RB

Points: 0

#114 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:52pm

Rams can't run the ball,  27 yards averaging under 2 ypc.

Points: 0

#115 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:53pm

They really are hell-bent on making Cam Akers happen in these playoffs and it might cost them this game.

Points: 0

#117 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:55pm

so 8 other carries for 4 yards

lol

draft capital is KILLER in terms of perception 

Points: 0

#119 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:07pm

They were only 18 picks apart (and a year, obviously). Akers just obviously hasn't recovered, and hasn't done anything in the 2021-22 season outside of one pass in the blowout of the Cards. I don't care if he's Walter Payton in his prime on a billion-dollar contract, if he's too hurt to do NFL things he should not be the feature back in an NFL game.

Points: 0

#131 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:24pm

Still a long of 6. Others now 10 carries for 7 yards

Points: 0

#116 by justanothersteve // Feb 13, 2022 - 8:55pm

Botched XP starting to look important with Rams down 20-16 

Points: 0

#118 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:04pm

Is McVay making adjustments? Hard to tell.

Points: 0

#130 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:23pm

Collinsworth pointed out those stunts - a big reason they've got 6 sacks this half, after only 1 in the first.

Points: 0

#122 by vrao81 // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:09pm

Back to back sacks! That's 6 sacks for LA

Points: 0

#125 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:16pm

The way this game is going the Rams might have to force a fumble on one of these sacks to win.

Points: 0

#126 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:17pm

is why he has so many 4QC

Points: 0

#141 by Tutenkharnage // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:34pm

And the other was the receiver’s fault. If you’re going to post your opinion, try to make it an informed one. Get a grip. 

Points: 0

#144 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:35pm

the excuses for a bad 3rd down throw and an inaccurate pass.

Points: 0

#150 by Tutenkharnage // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:43pm

In reply to by ImNewAroundThe…

The blatant Stafford hate masquerading as truth. 

Points: 0

#158 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:45pm

In reply to by Tutenkharnage

Weep

Points: 0

#127 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:20pm

Anyone getting out of this game healthy?

Points: 0

#128 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:21pm

Looks like Burrow might win comeback player of the year next year, too.

Points: 0

#129 by morganja // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:22pm

Refs are simply incapable of calling a taunting penalty correctly. It is such a simple concept, but they can't handle it. Boggles the mind.

Points: 0

#132 by Aaron Brooks G… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:27pm

I would say the Rams need to just go empty every play, but they don’t have enough receivers for that.

Points: 0

#133 by Cythammer // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:27pm

It's hard to imagine the Rams getting within FG range, much less scoring two FGs or a TD by the end of the game.

Points: 0

#134 by Spanosian Magn… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:27pm

I'm sure the Bengals are double-teaming Kupp (or triple, or quadruple...), but he just had the second-most yards ever - I humbly suggest that he ought to see more targets than Van Frickin' Jefferson (it's Kupp 6, Jefferson 7).

Points: 0

#135 by ImNewAroundThe… // Feb 13, 2022 - 9:28pm

But I know Cincy likes empty. It's not time for that though lol 

Points: 0

Save 10%
& Support Vincent
Support Football Outsiders' independent media and Vincent Verhei. Use promo code VINCE to save 10% on any FO+ membership and give half the cost of your membership to tip Vincent.