Brandon Anderson covers all issues NBA and NFL for Motion Community, specializing in NBA props and ATS picks for each NFL recreation.
Los Angeles Rams (-4) over Cincinnati Bengals
These would be the final two NFL groups standing, however that doesn’t imply these are the very best two NFL groups (or anyplace near equal). The Rams are the considerably higher crew, and we’ve myriad metrics to inform us that. They had been the one NFL crew to complete the season ranked inside the highest eight of Soccer Outsiders’ offensive, defensive and particular groups. The Rams are a well-rounded crew that’s higher in all three sides of the sport than the Bengals, who ranked close to common in all three metrics and total.
The Bengals are the worst crew the Rams can have performed in a month. Bengals believers will scream that the younger crew has gotten a lot better late within the season and through this postseason run, throwing out these metrics within the course of, however I’m unsure that’s honest. Simply take a look at their playoff video games: The Bengals have been outgained in every, eking out one-score victories due to game-sealing interceptions of opposing quarterbacks within the remaining minute of all three matchups, plus a 12-for-12 postseason report from a rookie kicker.
Distinction that luck with the Rams, who’ve regarded convincingly higher than three glorious opponents — all of whom charge a lot better than the forgettable Titans and Raiders squads the Bengals struggled towards. Not like the Bengals, the Rams outgained all three of their playoff opponents, together with twice by greater than 100 yards.
The Rams held a 28-0 lead over the Cardinals and 27-3 over the Buccaneers. And in the event you watched the 49ers recreation, you understand the Rams had been the a lot better crew all through that one, too.
Credit score to the Bengals for at all times doing simply sufficient to get by, however that doesn’t imply I’ve to guess on them to do it once more. I don’t imagine in future. I imagine within the higher crew.
On this season’s playoffs, and for many of Tremendous Bowl historical past, the crew that wins additionally covers. And I just like the Rams to win, so I’ll take them to cowl, too.
Championship week: 2-0. Bengals (W), 49ers (W).
