2 min read • February 10, 2022
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Injury Advantage: Rams Run Offense
With Darrell Henderson Jr. trending toward activation before Super Bowl LVI, the Rams will have its running back trio active for the first time all season. Henderson has not played since suffering an MCL sprain Week 16, but should have full mobility when he returns.
Cam Akers, who returned Week 18 from a July Achilles tendon tear, has had some good moments in the playoffs but he is not 100% healthy.
Sony Michel has taken a backseat to Akers in recent games, but will likely be used in short-yardage situations.
The Bengals, meanwhile, are still without key run stopper Larry Ogunjobi. Since losing Ogunjobi in the Wild Card win over the Raiders, the Bengals allowed 5.2 yards per carry against the Titans and 5.8 yards per carry against the Chiefs.
With the Rams three middle offensive linemen healthy, they should be able to create gaps against B.J. Hill, Ogunjobi’s replacement.
Veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth is playing through a right knee MCL sprain, but should be more effective run blocking than pass blocking.
The Rams have an 87.5 run offense SIC Score, giving them a 12-point SIC score advantage over the Bengals run defense.
Secondary Advantage: Rams Pass Defense
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 51times during the regular season, more than any other quarterback this season.
His ability to escape improved in the second half of the season, but the offensive line is still down its starters at right guard and right tackle.
Hakeem Adeniji rotated with rookie Jackson Carman in the win over the Chiefs, but Carman has missed practice time with a back issue.
Von Miller and Aaron Donald will likely target that weakness on the right side and disrupt Burrow’s ability to throw deep.
Plus, starting nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day will likely get activated off IR for the Super Bowl. He has been out since suffering a torn pectoral tendon in Week 7.
The Rams will also have free safety Taylor Rapp back for the first time in the playoffs after a concussion kept him out of the previous three contests.
The addition of Rapp means the Rams can rely less on 37-year-old Eric Weddle, who was signed out of retirement ahead of the Divisional Round win over the Buccaneers.
The Rams have an 89.3 SIC score for pass defense, while the Bengals have a pass offense SIC score of 84.9.
Check out the Super Bowl LVI matchup preview at: https://sicscore.com/nfl/games/los-angeles-rams-vs-cincinnati-bengals.
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