Los Angeles Rams (-4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Rams: 15-5, 10-10 ATS
Bengals: 13-7, 13-7 ATS
There is no mistaking that this is a quarterback’s league. The NFL’s biggest showcase event underscores the need to have one of the top signal-callers in the game if you want to play in February.
For the away team, the Rams, playing in their home stadium, Matthew Stafford and company rank fourth in Real Quarterback Rating. For the home team, the Bengals, playing 2,201 miles from their actual home, Joe Burrow and company rank fifth in Real Quarterback Rating.
These two quarterbacks are also two of the best when it comes to pushing the ball down the field. Stafford and the Rams rank second in Real Passing Yds/Attempt, while Burrow and the Bengals rank third. They are also sixth and second in the NFL in Offensive Passer Rating, with Burrow having the edge there.
Where the equality turns between these two teams, and where this game might turn, is on how well both teams defend against the pass. The Rams are fourth in Defensive Real Quarterback Rating and fifth in Defensive Passer Rating. The Bengals rank just 18th in Defensive Real Quarterback Rating and 17th in Defensive Passer Rating.
There is also a very real concern for the Bengals in keeping Burrow upright long enough to make those downfield passes. They only allowed one sack against the Chiefs, but Burrow was sacked nine times the week before at Tennessee, and now the Cincinnati offensive line has to contend with Aaron Donald and former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, who has seven sacks in his last seven games.
The Bengals have a clear edge at running back, with Joe Mixon leading the way to a 15th ranking in Offensive Rusher Rating, compared to just 26th for the Rams. But can that be enough in a quarterback’s league?
| Los Angeles Rams | Analysis | Cincinnati Bengals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Rank | Quality Stat | Value | Rank |
| 10.52 | 6 | Quality Stats Power Rankings | 11.76 | 9 |
| 38% | 14 | Quality Standings | 57% | 7 |
| 13.75 | 7 | Scoreability | 13.36 | 4 |
| 15.76 | 12 | Bendability | 15.86 | 10 |
| 2.01 | 9 | Intelligence Index | 2.50 | 7 |
| 7.28 | 2 | Real Passing Yds/Attempt | 7.23 | 3 |
| 6.09 | 13 | Defensive Real Passing Yds/Attempt | 6.32 | 19 |
| 91.90 | 4 | Real Quarterback Rating | 91.87 | 5 |
| 72.86 | 4 | Defensive Real Quarterback Rating | 82.33 | 18 |
| 19.04 | 5 | Real Quarterback Rating Differential | 9.54 | 8 |
| 101.66 | 6 | Offensive Passer Rating | 106.78 | 2 |
| 84.15 | 5 | Defensive Passer Rating | 93.07 | 17 |
| 17.51 | 5 | Passer Rating Differential | 13.71 | 7 |
| 9.67 | 14 | Offensive Hog Index | 12.00 | 16 |
| 5.00 | 6 | Defensive Hog Index | 8.67 | 12 |
| 4.35 | 8 | Relativity Index | 3.05 | 11 |
| 7,426 | 11 | Total Team Yards | 7,456 | 10 |
| 6,756 | 10 | Total Team Yards Allowed | 7,374 | 23 |
| 670 | 7 | Total Team Yards Differential | 82 | 16 |
| 89.98 | 26 | Offensive Rusher Rating | 99.24 | 15 |
| 103.70 | 27 | Defensive Rusher Rating | 99.22 | 20 |
| -13.72 | 26 | Rusher Rating Differential | 0.02 | 17 |