players to watch
The Los Angeles Rams will have in Cooper Kupp the most decisive player in the passing game. This receiver won the triple crown during the regular season (most receiving yards, most passes caught and most passing touchdowns) and joined the exclusive list of 11 players who have achieved this recognition, including the pre-Super Bowl era.
Whoever throws the ball to him will be Matthew Stafford, a quarterback who is living his first year in the franchise and who, after 12 seasons in Detroit, accumulated only three postseason games, with the same number of losses.
The last time Stafford had played in the postseason was in 2016. Now, with three consecutive playoff wins, in games in which he was the best pitcher, he seems to be at his best. The Rams needed him as much as he needed them.
Other important offensive weapons of the Californians are Odell Beckham Jr. and Sony Michel.
On the other side of the field will be another pair QB – WR of the highest value. Joe Burrow, the first quarterback selected in the first round to lead his team to the Super Bowl within his first two seasons, and Ja’Mar Chase, a serious candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year and who knows Burrow wonderfully, since they coincided in their collegiate stage, playing for LSU.
A curiosity about Chase is that, thanks to the new clothing regulations in the NFL, at the beginning of the campaign he became the first player in team history to wear the number 1 on his jersey. Oh, and, of course, he also holds (and will likely increase on Sunday) the record for most postseason yards by a rookie. Wow newbie…
What about the defensive? The current situation of the Rams would not be so positive without the contributions of Aaron Donald, a linebacker who is in his eighth year as a professional and who has three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, in addition to having been selected to the Pro Bowl in each year of his career. And of course, Von Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and active player with the most sacks.
Wherever you look, the show on the grid will be high impact. Rams and Bengals, one for the second ring in its history, the other for the first, with an ideal Californian environment.
Place your bets, another NFL season is coming to an end.