Despite their almost DNA-driven propensity to screw things up, the Texans got it right. Despite themselves. They finally figured out that the right guy, for right now, was right in the building. First you have to keep things from getting worse.
Lovie will do that.
There’s a reason why we call the obvious the obvious. Because it’s obvious.
So, we’ll start with the obvious.
The Bengals are going to have a very difficult time protecting Burrow from the Rams’ pass rush.
But here’s the other side of the “obvious” equation. The Bengals have had a hard time protecting Burrow from a stiff breeze, and yet here Cincy is in SB 56, and with a decent chance to win it.
Yes, LA overcame the Niners by scoring 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game. But SF had beaten the Rams in their previous six meetings, and had the right game plan once again to beat them a seventh time. They just let it get away.
But the Niners have figured out the right formula to beat the Rams. Run the ball. Keep running the ball. How many times you run it can be more important than how many yards you gain running it. Stay with it. Throw a bazillion screen passes of all descriptions. Quick play action. Slants. Wheel routes out of the backfield.
And then, when you have a chance for a deep shot, hit it. Jimmy G. missed those open downfield shots.
Burrow won’t miss. And that’s Ja’Marr Chase he’ll be heaving it to.
And if TE C.J. Uzomah is cleared to play, he can gash the Rams in the seam.
But the key to Bengal offensive success Sunday will be Joe Mixon. If he gets 75 yards rushing and another 50 receiving, Cincy could be sitting pretty.
Tomorrow. A look at the Rams offense.