3 most important Bengals players in Super Bowl LVI vs. Rams
By Alex Austin
2. Hakeem Adeniji/Quinton Spain
Alright, so this is a combo pick, but the point is that the stripes need their guards to slow down Aaron Donald. All week the prognosis has been that if Donald is able to take over the game, the Rams will win. While this is a little too simplistic, there is a lot of truth to this particular battle being among the most important.
Cincinnati has shown that they are able to win even if they struggle to protect Joe Burrow (see the Titans getting nine sacks and still not being able to win) but that is not the way Cincy wants to come into this game.
The stripes win the game if they are able to keep Burrow protected and give him time to find his talented wide receivers. There are ways to win if Burrow is under duress, but an upright quarterback all but assures a Cincinnati victory.
The Los Angeles Rams have other pass rushers aside from Donald (Leonard Floyd, Von Miller to name a few others), but direct pressure up the middle will really hurt Burrow’s ability to navigate through the pocket, which is why Adeniji and Spain (and any other guards that rotate in) need to make sure they are playing at their top level.
Even their top level will not stop Donald, but it should do just enough to help Burrow make plays.