Super Bowl 56- Bengals vs Rams

[ArtieChokePhin]

Who wins tonight?

I'm going with Cincy, 27-24

[Dave Gray]

I think Rams win 34-30

[EDGECRUSHER]

Going bold and saying Cincy in a blowout. I think Stafford implodes and throws 3 picks.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I think it will be close and relatively low scoring - it's the way the Bengals games have gone so far in the playoffs.

I give Cincinnati the edge because I just don't trust Stafford, or their head coach for that matter - and yeah, if either/both of them have a mental meltdown, like Edge said this could be an unexpected blowout.

Bengals 23
Rams 17

[ArtieChokePhin]

Bengals blew it because Joe Burrow decided to pussyfoot around in the third quarter rather than throw the ball

[Downunder Dolphan]

Bengals blew it because Joe Burrow decided to pussyfoot around in the third quarter rather than throw the ball

There are a few other things... the four and out from midfield in the first quarter was idiotic. They were struggling with short distance gains, and their defense was basically in a prevent mode all game not to give up the big play. The Rams had a short field after the turnover, and sure enough they took advantage of it for their first TD. They only got to the Superbowl thanks to opposition coach brain fades in the last two playoff games, so I guess it was time for Zac Taylor to do something incredibly stupid.

Then there's the poor discipline. Not many penalties, but my word some of them were incredibly stupid and costly. That dickhead in street clothes who ran on to the field to celebrate the INT should be fired by them immediately.

Plus a special mention to the Refs for managing to stay out of the game up until the last two minutes, and then taking it all over.

If they're going to throw the flag for holding and PI there, they should have done it all game (or kept the flags in their pockets all game). Ramsay should have been called for tugging the jersey on the battered pass in the end zone before the Bengals had to settle for a FG. On the other hand Ramsay should have been the beneficiary of an OPI/face mask and the long TD pass to Higgins nullified. These two big missed calls on their own nullified each other and aren't a big deal if the Refs continued to let it all go... but they changed their mind 58 minutes into the game.

[ArtieChokePhin]

There are a few other things... the four and out from midfield in the first quarter was idiotic. They were struggling with short distance gains, and their defense was basically in a prevent mode all game not to give up the big play. The Rams had a short field after the turnover, and sure enough they took advantage of it for their first TD. They only got to the Superbowl thanks to opposition coach brain fades in the last two playoff games, so I guess it was time for Zac Taylor to do something incredibly stupid.

And throwing the ball on 4th and half yard at the end of the game was even more stupid.   

[EDGECRUSHER]

Bengals only offseason priority is fixing that O-Line.

BTW, every ranking I saw has our O-Line much worse than Cincy's. That tells you how bad we are.

[DenverFinFan]

Last 2 minutes were a joke and combined with the terrible 4th and short play call by the bengals with a chance to tie, well it does support my thinking that all this is just pre determined entertainment.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Last 2 minutes were a joke and combined with the terrible 4th and short play call by the bengals with a chance to tie, well it does support my thinking that all this is just pre determined entertainment.

At least wrestling has steel chairs.

[dolphins4life]

1) Let's start with the decision making of both KC in the AFC title game and Cincy in the Super Bowl.  Both teams went for it when in one team's case, they could have kicked an easy field goal, and in another team's case, it was fourth and one.  

When I play armchair coach, in decisions like this, I think about what my opponent would want, then do the opposite.   In KC's case, the Bengals would want them to try the field goal because it ensures that the game will remain a two score game.  Therefore, I don't have a problem with KC trying for the touchdown and attempting to make it a three score game.

The Super Bowl decision is more tricky.  I think the Rams want the Bengals to go for it there because it gives them a chance to get a huge momentum turning stop, and even if they get it, the absolute worst case scenario is that the Rams are down only one score.

2) I had no problem with the no call on the jersey tug by Ramsey.  Jersey tugs exist and are called on a spectrum,  Referees will often let a jersey tug go if it does not significantly affect the receiver.  I can cite PLENTY of examples of jersey tugs not called.

3) I have several questions about the no-call on the Cincy touchdown

a) Which penalty should have been called.  OPI?  Face Mask? or Both?

b) If a face mask penalty was called, where would it have been enforced from?  The line of scrimmage since he committed the penalty before he caught the ball?  The spot of the foul?

4) That holding penalty at the end I felt should not have been called.  I wanted to see a better replay of the play.  I am not even sure the contact happened before the ball was released.

I think refs have human tendencies to make calls like that to infuse excitement into games.  I call them EI calls.  Making that call allowed for a more exciting conclusion.  However, this is wrong and should not happen.

5) How come nobody jumped all over DownUnderDolphin for talking about the officiating?  Is there a rule on this board that I am the only person not allowed to discuss officiating without getting crap?

[Downunder Dolphan]

I had no problem with the no call on the jersey tug by Ramsey.  Jersey tugs exist and are called on a spectrum,  Referees will often let a jersey tug go if it does not significantly affect the receiver.  I can cite PLENTY of examples of jersey tugs not called.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

That meme is sacrilegious.  Fail, you,  that is why.  If you are going to invent Yoda quotes, please do so you proper Yoda grammar.   

[Spider-Dan]

Hoodie, have you seen the movie in question?  It's a direct quote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLrpBLDWyCI

[Downunder Dolphan]

Hoodie, have you seen the movie in question?  It's a direct quote.

Hoodie's taking the piss I think