It's the big game! The Wesseling Bowl! 

The Bengals certainly weren't supposed to be here - you wouldn't have found many who predicted they would make the playoffs this season, even as late as December after consecutive home losses to the Chargers and 49ers. But then there was a dominant win over division rivals Baltimore, and then a gutsy come from behind victory over the Chiefs and all of a sudden Joe Burrow was cooking and they seemed like a completely different proposition. They took care of the Raiders in the first round, overcame an offensive line meltdown to beat the Titans on the back of Shooter McPherson's automatic right boot, and then stormed back in the second half AGAIN to eliminate Kansas City on the back of an inspired defensive effort to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989. 

I think the key for Cincinnati is going to be their ability to run the ball. The Rams have really tightened up their run defence down the stretch, they stacked the line with Greg Gaines and A'Shawn Robinson alongside Aaron Donald against the 49ers and completely stuffed San Francisco's typically potent rushing attack. The Bengals offensive line struggles are well documented, they simply don't have the protection to allow Burrow to drop back and pass 40+ times, even though it might feel like that is their best route to victory. If they can operate an even half way productive run offence and avoid getting into as many third and long situations as they did against the Chiefs, that's going to be huge for their chances. Burrow is a savant in the pocket but that sort of bailout playmaking is simply not sustainable, and I can't see the Rams pass rushers allowing him to escape from their clutches as many times as the Chiefs did.

The Rams on the other hand, have been built to have as many big name players as possible to play on the biggest stage. Matt Stafford was brought in to put the team over the top. In the middle of the season they doubled down on their philosophy, adding two more superstars to to their bevy of talent when other franchises might have played it safe - and both Von Miller and Odell Beckham have rewarded the front office with impactful performances down the stretch. But it's not all about the marquee name Ramsey's and Donald's, they've also been getting key contributions from some of their role/periphery players. Travin Howard only played 50 snaps during the regular season but got the Championship game sealing interception of Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Scott was a backup safety prior to injuries but got the final interception of Tom Brady's career, and TE Kendall Blanton had just seven targets during the regular season, but has seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown in the last two playoff games following the loss of Tyler Higbee.

I think the most important thing for the Rams is going to be avoiding the sloppiness that has nearly cost them across multiple weeks. They nearly literally fumbled the game away against the Bucs by putting the ball on the ground multiple times. Stafford threw two interceptions against the 49ers and really should have been punished further for some additional errant throws. The Bengals secondary are a really underrated group who know how to punish a quarterback on tilt - Jessie Bates is in absolutely prime form and he and safety Vonn Bell combined for a key interception of Mahomes, the very next play after Eli Apple dropped what was really a regulation pick of his own. LA need to avoid turning the ball over and Stafford's chemistry and timing with his #2 & #3 receivers OBJ and Van Jefferson will be very important, as the Bengals defence will be doing everything they can to bracket Cooper Kupp and force someone else to be the one to beat them.

I predict the Rams will win 30-13, with Cooper Kupp winning MVP.

1/4 of the bets for MVP have been on Aaron Donald winning it; including mine.

I think Rams dominate Cincinnati and there won’t be a comeback this time.

Yeah this is really shaping up to be a boring Super Bowl. Got a feeling LA is just going to run them over. Buffalo or KC would have made for a way better game against LA.

They’re their own worst enemy though, so a couple bad decisions against Cincy’s defence could make things interesting, but that remains to be seen. Hoping for a good game but not holding my breath.

I love how everyone is counting out the Bengals this weekend (not just here, but everywhere). They are going to put up more of a fight then anyone expected, it's been that way this whole postseason. The Rams nearly cost themselves the NFC title a week ago, and all the real pressure is on them.

I'm not making a prediction, just hope this trend continues and lights a fire under tiger-striped asses because I wanna see the kitty go meow.

Feb 11, 2022 19:59:56 GMT rad said:

I love how everyone is counting out the Bengals this weekend (not just here, but everywhere). They are going to put up more of a fight then anyone expected, it's been that way this whole postseason. The Rams nearly cost themselves the NFC title a week ago, and all the real pressure is on them.

I'm not making a prediction, just hope this trend continues and lights a fire under tiger-striped asses because I wanna see the kitty go meow.

Counting them out where?

All I see all over the media and social media is JOE BRRRRR, GO BENGALS, BENGALS 2 DA MOON~!

It feels to me like a 'pay job' by Vegas, IMO. They're "pumping" (Gyro LC, iNCY, c (welcome 2 sports~!) and 🤯 know what I mean~!) the Bengals up so this whole new school of degenerates bet on the underdog bc MOAR PROFIT~! and BANG~! They steal everyones money.

The Rams in a blowout.

Vegas don’t pump anyone up , the bettors do. They could give a shit where people put their money.

Yeah they want the money split between options 50/50 so they can take the vig off the losers.

Ya'll probably think Epstein committed suicide too.

Feb 11, 2022 23:55:12 GMT KING KID said:

Ya'll probably think Epstein committed suicide too.

No that would be crazy. He’s still alive and living underground in a bunker with Elvis.

So I sort of made like 8 of my co-workers sign up for FanDuel today to do the $5 win $280 bet they get and I made them all pick the Rams because I GUARANTEED it!

So I'ma need the Rams to win if I wanna come back to work next week. Peace & Love and referral bonus cash!

Feb 11, 2022 23:55:12 GMT KING KID said:

Ya'll probably think Epstein committed suicide too.

No it’s literally how odds have worked since the beginning time. Any gambler should probably know these basics.

Feb 12, 2022 2:02:32 GMT UT said:

Feb 11, 2022 23:55:12 GMT KING KID said:

Ya'll probably think Epstein committed suicide too.

No it’s literally how odds have worked since the beginning time. Any gambler should probably know these basics.

c talk to him for me.

Feb 12, 2022 3:30:24 GMT KING KID said:

Feb 12, 2022 2:02:32 GMT UT said:

No it’s literally how odds have worked since the beginning time. Any gambler should probably know these basics.

c talk to him for me.

If you bring c into the empire I will ban you. :suspic:

Feb 11, 2022 20:05:03 GMT KING KID said:

Feb 11, 2022 19:59:56 GMT rad said:

I love how everyone is counting out the Bengals this weekend (not just here, but everywhere). They are going to put up more of a fight then anyone expected, it's been that way this whole postseason. The Rams nearly cost themselves the NFC title a week ago, and all the real pressure is on them.

I'm not making a prediction, just hope this trend continues and lights a fire under tiger-striped asses because I wanna see the kitty go meow.

Counting them out where?

All I see all over the media and social media is JOE BRRRRR, GO BENGALS, BENGALS 2 DA MOON~!

It feels to me like a 'pay job' by Vegas, IMO. They're "pumping" (Gyro LC, iNCY, c (welcome 2 sports~!) and 🤯 know what I mean~!) the Bengals up so this whole new school of degenerates bet on the underdog bc MOAR PROFIT~! and BANG~! They steal everyones money.

The Rams in a blowout.

That's odd, because most mainstream media/internet talking heads I've read or seen are either giving the Rams the slight edge or calling for a blowout. Your charlatan tricks won't fool me though, I'm not betting any money on this...

But since I do believe in this team, I will however wager you this: if it's an LA blowout (20+ win), I'll change my avatar to anything you request for a month. Roles reversed if the Bengals win by any amount. No deal if the Rams can't win by more than that amount.

Deal?

Time to put that non-fungible money where your muddy puss-hating piehole be.

Feb 12, 2022 6:23:24 GMT rad said:

Feb 11, 2022 20:05:03 GMT KING KID said:

Counting them out where?

All I see all over the media and social media is JOE BRRRRR, GO BENGALS, BENGALS 2 DA MOON~!

It feels to me like a 'pay job' by Vegas, IMO. They're "pumping" (Gyro LC, iNCY, c (welcome 2 sports~!) and 🤯 know what I mean~!) the Bengals up so this whole new school of degenerates bet on the underdog bc MOAR PROFIT~! and BANG~! They steal everyones money.

The Rams in a blowout.

That's odd, because most mainstream media/internet talking heads I've read or seen are either giving the Rams the slight edge or calling for a blowout. Your charlatan tricks won't fool me though, I'm not betting any money on this...

But since I do believe in this team, I will however wager you this: if it's an LA blowout (20+ win), I'll change my avatar to anything you request for a month. Roles reversed if the Bengals win by any amount. No deal if the Rams can't win by more than that amount.

Deal?

Time to put that non-fungible money where your muddy puss-hating piehole be.

To be fair I think final score is 30-16 but the score will seem closer then the actual game.

Kid just isn't a believer , even said it in the thread during the game that the Bengals weren't coming back from that deficit against the Chiefs even though they proved they could mere weeks earlier.

I think it's a volatile game , both teams are capable of laying complete eggs. Both teams are capable playing at an elite level. Just a matter of which teams show up on either sideline.

The Bengals could definitely get overtaken up front and Donald and company could eat all day , and they don't exactly have the Titans broken offense to keep them in it.

On the other hand , Stafford can just hand teams the game and if the Bengals get to him early then it could be a day.

My gut says it should be a fairly low scoring game that the Rams should win. My heart says I've been a Cincy guy since Week 1 and they've pulled out a ton of games they had no right to and Burrow is a stud.

Cincy 20
Rams 16

Kupp goes off but the Rams red zone offense falters. Tee Higgins has a big game with all their focus on Chase , who gets shut down. Burrow takes a beating but gets them the lead with a running TD with like 4 minutes left in the 4th.

All that's conjecture. Go Bengals. Make me that money.

Which player will get busted for extracurricular activities the night before the game?

Feb 12, 2022 17:46:54 GMT KING KID said:

Feb 12, 2022 6:23:24 GMT rad said:

That's odd, because most mainstream media/internet talking heads I've read or seen are either giving the Rams the slight edge or calling for a blowout. Your charlatan tricks won't fool me though, I'm not betting any money on this...

But since I do believe in this team, I will however wager you this: if it's an LA blowout (20+ win), I'll change my avatar to anything you request for a month. Roles reversed if the Bengals win by any amount. No deal if the Rams can't win by more than that amount.

Deal?

Time to put that non-fungible money where your muddy puss-hating piehole be.

To be fair I think final score is 30-16 but the score will seem closer then the actual game.

Just having fun, I wasn't being serious lol

Though I would enjoy you being wildly wrong about it, 30-16 is actually fair. I thought you were alluding to Joe Montana or the Legion of Doom blowing up Denver 55-10/43-8 or something like that.

I think it will be a lot closer than that but honestly this game could go either way.

Feb 11, 2022 20:05:03 GMT KING KID said:

Feb 11, 2022 19:59:56 GMT rad said:

I love how everyone is counting out the Bengals this weekend (not just here, but everywhere). They are going to put up more of a fight then anyone expected, it's been that way this whole postseason. The Rams nearly cost themselves the NFC title a week ago, and all the real pressure is on them.

I'm not making a prediction, just hope this trend continues and lights a fire under tiger-striped asses because I wanna see the kitty go meow.

Counting them out where?

All I see all over the media and social media is JOE BRRRRR, GO BENGALS, BENGALS 2 DA MOON~!

It feels to me like a 'pay job' by Vegas, IMO. They're "pumping" (Gyro LC , iNCY , c (welcome 2 sports~!) and 🤯 know what I mean~!) the Bengals up so this whole new school of degenerates bet on the underdog bc MOAR PROFIT~! and BANG~! They steal everyones money.

The Rams in a blowout.

I certainly hope so.  I'm tired of everyone riding Burrow's meat.   He hasn't even been that great these playoffs.  The Bengal defense and kicker beat the Bengals and Chiefs.

I got great pleasure out of everyone in the area supporting a team who seemed to always lose. Every business with road signage shoving who dey and delusions of a 75-0 score distracting me, smugness of the locals, out of town grifters creating traffic issues because of their ware tents, etc. I just want it to end. Also if they win I might as well call off as I don't wanna go to work to hear about it... although I probably won't as I imagine everyone will call off from drinking. Also if they win I do kinda hope they tear Cincy apart because they're animals.

Feb 13, 2022 19:08:46 GMT @ness said:

I got great pleasure out of everyone in the area supporting a team who seemed to always lose. Every business with road signage shoving who dey and delusions of a 75-0 score distracting me, smugness of the locals, out of town grifters creating traffic issues because of their ware tents, etc. I just want it to end. Also if they win I might as well call off as I don't wanna go to work to hear about it... although I probably won't as I imagine everyone will call off from drinking. Also if they win I do kinda hope they tear Cincy apart because they're animals.

Considering the decades of mediocrity and embarrassment, it's understandable. Just be grateful they only share half this state (probably less) with Browns and mostly Steelers fans, it would be a lot worse otherwise.

I'm just here for the half-time show. I already got my stretches in, because I can still get down but getting up takes a bit longer.

May you all be treated to a good game. 

Defense wins championships.

It’s a tale as old as time.

Go Bengals!

I don’t think they can pull it off I think Rams will win but I hope I’m wrong

Lol the entire panel picks Rams. My earlier comment feels vindicated now. Hoping these young cats shock everyone tonight. If we could beat the Chiefs twice, we stand a shot against the Rams. Let's do this Bengals!

Oh yes, that final 30 minutes to kickoff sure gives you goosebumps.

I think it's gonna be a close game, come down to a FG. Hoping Rams, but can't count out the Bengals, especially if the defense that came out second half of KC shows up.

I've never popped so hard for a GnR song in my entire life.

Whose everyone rooting for the bengals