Can the Bengals really do it again? Barnwell previews the Super Bowl and makes his pick

Bill Barnwell is a staff writer for ESPN.com.

When you think of a classic Super Bowl matchup, you think of two teams that have dominated their competition and run rampant through the playoffs. Rams vs. Bengals is not that matchup.

Both teams trailed in their respective conference championship games as the fourth quarter started. The Bengals needed a dramatic comeback and a spectacular self-destruction from the Chiefs to advance. The Rams blew a 24-point lead in the divisional round against the Bucs and needed Jaquiski Tartt to drop a gift-wrapped interception to spur their win over the 49ers.

And yet, both teams are here because their stars did star things. Cooper Kupp and Ja’Marr Chase made huge catches to set up game-winning field goals. Jessie Bates started the Titans game with an interception and sent the Chiefs’ offense to the sideline for the winter by creating another. Aaron Donald finished Jimmy Garoppolo’s 49ers career with a pressure to force a pick. Joe Burrow ducked through a sure sack to scramble for a critical first down. These two teams have weapons on both sides of the ball that can single-handedly decide games.

Winning this game, then, might come down to whichever team can diminish or even eliminate as many of those mismatches as possible. The Bengals, helpless for most of the first half in the AFC title game, shut down Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and the entire Chiefs offense after the break. The Rams limited the vaunted 49ers rushing attack to 50 yards on 20 carries. We know what these teams and their stars are capable of doing. Whichever team stops more of those stars wins this game. Our breakdown begins with the guy who has carried the Rams through the postseason:

Jump to a section:
• How Cooper Kupp has taken his game to a new level
• Will the Bengals keep their plan on defense?
• Does either team have a running game edge?
• Who will Jalen Ramsey cover?
• Four similarities between these offenses
• Does Cincy have a chance vs. Aaron Donald?
• Can the Bengals’ front four create pressure?
• The biggest weakness for each team
• You might be surprised by the special-teams battle
• Why game management could be an issue
• What Super Bowl III has to do with this matchup
• Final score prediction

Cooper Kupp and the choice concept

The Bengals making it to the Super Bowl is the most surprising thing that happened during the 2021 NFL season. Kupp turning into the league’s most productive receiver by a considerable margin isn’t far behind. After averaging 1,124 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per 17 games across his first four seasons in the league, Kupp racked up 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns during a dominant regular season. He has added 386 yards and four more scores during the postseason, including back-breaking catches against the Bucs and 49ers in consecutive weeks.

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