This is it, people. Super Bowl week is here, and the excitement levels are building. This has to go down as one of the best playoffs in living memory, with the finishes we have had and the levels of standard from all teams. All of the football community is hoping the dynamite games and dramatic endings will continue this Sunday in SoFi Stadium.

The Cincinnati Bengals are in their first Super Bowl since 1988, while the LA Rams are looking to go one step further after their loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. This could be one of the best Super Bowls in a few years, as it looks like two high powered offences will be slugging it out in tinsel town. This is going to be a good one, so buckle up, drink up and eat your bodyweight in fried cheese.

Looking ahead to Sunday, I am going to preview three of what I feel will be the most important contests, within the contest itself. First up, is the battle between star rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and king of the cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey. This is going to be an exciting match-up between an understated rookie who lets his work do the talking and a self-proclaimed master, who does back up what he says.

Ja’Marr Chase 2021 Season Key Stats:

• Targets: 128 (19th)
• Receptions: 81 (20th)
• Yards: 1455 (4th)
• TD: 13 (3rd)
• YPG (Yards Per Game): 85.6 (5th)

When Chase was drafted fifth in the 2021 draft, a lot of Bengals fans and NFL analysts were highly sceptical about the pick, and some were down right pissed about it, as many felt that Joe Brrr needed some major protection up front, and that the Bengals should have added a heavyweight to the offensive line, with the early pick. As we have seen this year, that is clearly the case, but the connection between the two LSU teammates has been too dynamic and electric for opposition teams to stop. As you can see from the stats, Chase is the definition of a big play player. Ranking fourth in total yards and third in receiving touchdowns, but only nineteenth and twentieth in targets and receptions respectively, shows that Chase and Burrow can deliver a knockout blow at any moment. They delivered time and time again in the regular and are continuing their airtight connection in the post season. In the playoffs, Chase is fourth in receptions and total yards, tied-ninth in touchdowns, and eight in yards per game. His strong playoff form will need to continue as he faces arguably the best corner in the league, in Jalen Ramsey.

Jalen Ramsey 2021 Season Stats:

• INTs: 4 (12th)
• Passes Defended: 16 (6th)
• Targets: 93 (8th)
• Receptions Allowed: 59 (8th)
• Solo Tackles: 62 (55th)
• Forced Fumbles: 1 (81st)

Big hitter Ramsey has been key to the Rams success in both the regular and post season. His larger-than-life attitude only matches his larger-than-life play. Ramsey is ranking in the top eight for targets, receptions allowed and passes defended. His INTs rank twelfth, but he is that dominant the ball doesn’t come his way too often. Trevon Diggs may have led the league in INTs, but absolutely no one is saying that Diggs is a better player than Ramsey. All-Pro Ramsey has a habit of shutting down big time corners, in big time games, so with his experience, he might have the upper hand on the rookie. But I have doubted Burrow, Chase and the Bengals all year long, so what do I know really? There will be fireworks and Ramsey will surely be the one setting them off. As good as Burrow is, Aaron Donald and the defensive line might put him under enough pressure to force him into an unforced error, and guess who will be there to clean up any messy passes? Jalen Ramsey.

Chase Prop Odds:

• Anytime: 11/10
• Receiving Yards (+78.5): 5/6
• Total Receptions (+5.5): 4/6

Ramsey Prop Odds:

• Tackles & Assists (+3.5): 4/6
• To Record an INT (Yes): 5/1

Chase has hit the +100 yards mark in two of his three playoff games (116, 109, 54), against the Raiders and Titans. The Raiders have been ok against the pass, but the Titans have been dog rough. The Chiefs have also been up and down as a defence in 2021, but they put their best man on him in the Conference game and Ward did a nice job, albeit giving up a touchdown. The Rams elite pass rush will also make any overs more difficult for Chase. Chase’s receptions sit at 5.5, which he has also hit two out of three playoff games. His stats will be close again here, so I’ll be staying away from it financially, but will be watching it intently. This will be a cracker.

See ye all tomorrow for Aaron Donald against the Bengals offensive line.

J.