It’s that time of the year once again! Continuing the tradition started by Mike Rafferty, it’s time for our yearly Super Bowl Predictions.
So. Are you ready for some football?
This year’s big game brings us the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the LA Rams from Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. This is the second year in a row — and in Super Bowl history — that one team has home-field advantage.
We don’t have any hometown skin in the game, but that’s not keeping people from sharing their opinions on how things are going to shake out on Sunday. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s goooooooo!
Starting around the office:
Jaimie went home to get some advice, and her son Alex made the call for her: 28-21, Rams. Honestly, we allll know Jaimie’s just sticking around for the Halftime Show anyway!
Kristy’s not much of a sports fan, but she’s confident in her pick, “The Clydesdales win, hands down.” I can’t say I disagree with her!
Our graphics team is short, to the point, and split. Curt is calling it a 21-17 Rams win, as his brother lives in the LA area, and Wes thinks Cincinnati will take the win 31-27.
Like a lot of people, Charlie is also calling a close one but thinks the Bengals will come out with a 31-24 win.
Alys is still bitter about the lack of Steelers in the SB, but if forced to pick, she’s going with the Bengals 21-18.
And of course, we have to see what JWebb has to say, “They will be the Cincinnati Bungles no more. Bengals 20, Rams 16. Quarterback Joe Burrow is an NFL legend in the making. He reminds me of a young Joe Montana. Burrow will lead a last-minute drive. Ja’Marr Chase will catch the game winning TD, But it will be the Cincinnati running game that does most of the damage. Game MVP — a Bengal back to be determined.”
Our Webb Weekly writers also have chimed in with their thoughts on the game.
Dave Bellomo said, “My pick for the Super Bowl this year is the Cincinnati Bengals as they currently have the hottest QB & WR combination. (By the way, that same combo also won a national championship two years ago). Also, the Bengals’ defense held the two-time defending AFC champions to 3 points in the second half of the AFC championship game, and I believe this momentum will carry over into the Super Bowl.” I don’t know enough about football to comment on that, but it sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.
Jon Pries think that it’s going to be a good game — and a close one. “I’ll say Cincinnati Bengals win it by 3 points in a nail-biter!”
Pastor Tim is a little disappointed with the lineup for the game but had this to say, “A Super Bowl between Big Ben and Tom Brady would have been an epic retirement blowout — and a game I would have loved to watch. Frankly, the Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes show was probably the best game of the year — and one of them should have been in the Super Bowl. I can’t see a Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals topping the Bills’ and Chiefs’ playoff game. It was one of the best games ever. Anyway, I’ll stick with the AFC — Bengals 21, Rams 17.”
Ironically enough, sportswriter Scott Lowery doesn’t think his opinion counts for much but noted, “Compelling QB storylines. Matthew Stafford leaves the downtrodden Lions for the glitz of LA. Ohio-born Joe Burrow leaves Ohio State to win a Heisman Trophy and NCAA championship at LSU. Stafford gets traded to a Rams team expected to win. Burrow gets drafted to a Bengals team just hoping to survive. The Las Vegas bookies favor the Rams, playing in their home stadium, and they are correct more than 60% of the time. My rooting interest goes with the Bengals to become the third underdog in the last six years to win the Super Bowl. Burrow the better Hollywood movie story. Somehow the Bengals pull off another unexpected win, 27-24.”
The newest addition to the Webb writing team, Joseph Smith, thinks these epic OTs are going to continue, but he sees the Bengals coming out on top once again, 24-21.
Larry Stout struggled with his choice but finally concluded, “I struggle between my heart and my head with these Super Bowl predictions every year. My heart goes out to the underdog, and that is certainly the Cincinnati Bengals this year. They are playing with house money given that they have won just six games in the past two previous seasons, but they are up against the LA Rams that are hot and playing on their home field. Plus, the Rams are hungry after losing poorly to the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl and getting clobbered last year in the Divisional Playoff Round by the Green Bay Packers. My head tells me to go with the Rams in a rout — but my heart is making the prediction: Bengals 28 – Rams 24.”
Lou Hunsinger Jr. kept his prediction short. He called in with a 27-21 Rams win.
Andrea cooked up this prediction, “All I know is that’s it’s going to be an awesome Halftime Show and I’m rooting for whoever wins. *Insert my famous cheesy smile here*”
Finally, on the writers’ side, we have Bernadette Ulsamer. Now, normally she uses her fashion savvy to pick based on uniform colors. However, this year she thinks both are hideous and refuses to choose. Can’t say I blame her.
We can’t talk football without getting the thoughts from some of our local sports leaders, right?
Let’s start with the heavy hitter, Hall-of-Famer Mike Mussina, “I’ll go with LA, 34-24. The Rams pass rush is tough, and too much Stafford to Cupp. Been their game plan all season.”
Ron ‘CI’ Insinger starts us off, “Bengals 27, Rams 25. Being a lifetime Steelers fan, I’m rooting for their longtime rival. Joe Burrow’s play seems to have them destined for a championship.”
Chris Eiswerth, head football coach from South Williamsport said, “Cincinnati Bengals 31, Los Angeles Rams 27. Burrow is a winner! Strong run game and the Bengals play great defense!”
Jersey Shore’s football coach, Tom Gravish added, “Bengals 24, Rams 13. A new future NFL star has arrived in Joe Burrow. The Rams defense will keep it close, but Joe Cool will prevail with a couple of TD passes.”
Shannon Manning, coach from Central Mountain believes the Rams will take it by six. “The Super Bowl home game is a huge advantage! The Bengals struggle to consistently find the end zone. If Stafford avoids having a ‘Stafford Moment,’ Rams win!”
Sean Tetreault, head coach of the Muncy Indians, thinks that the Rams are going to win big 34-19. “I believe the Rams pass rush will limit the Bengals’ deep passing game, and LA’s multiple weapons on offense will give the Bengals’ defense troubles to match up against.”
WASD athletic director Sean McCann is calling a 24-14 Rams win. He thinks the Rams’ defense is the key to their win, plus the experience of Stafford.
Paul Bo is on the call with a 24-17 Rams win. He said, “OBJ goes kongin’.”
Another local voice in sports, Gary Chrisman from KISS-FM, thinks the Bengals are going to take it. Another close call of 27-24. “Joe Burrow does it again with a last-second, 4th quarter rally in LA.”
I don’t like to make things political, but we did have a couple of locals throw their hats in the ring.
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter said, “31-28 Bengals. It’s a home game for the Rams. However, the Bengals have been resilient, and I think this is their year to raise the Lombardy trophy.”
And Representative Joe Hamm added, “Bengals 30 Rams 27 Final. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Evan McPherson have big games in leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl win.”
It’s not often that the Feds get involved in Webb Weekly, but US Congressman Fred Keller offered his pick, “I predict a 30-27 Bengals win because Joe Burrow is a proven winner, and I like the way he has been leading his team down the stretch.”
A few of our advertisers got in on the prediction fun too!
Brent Fish from Fish Real Estate, “I love sports fans, and so I’m pulling for the Bengals. Their base is so much more passionate as opposed to the Rams, who can’t seem to even sell half their stadium’s tickets to their own fans. So I’ll go Bengals 24-17.”
Leslie Howard from Blaise Alexander thinks that the Bengals have this in the bag!
Rennie Rodarmel Sr., from over at Allstate, said that this is Cincinnati’s time. He is insuring a 31-17 win.
Brent Peace, new GM at Central Equipment, says that the Bengals are going to pick up the win! “30-27. Burrow is the up-and-coming star quarterback who will shine for years to come!”
Rick Quigley for Fairfield, “Rams 28-24. Rams have more experience.” Fair enough.
Speaking of Fairfield, Eric Hamilton at the Montoursville store is picking up Cincy, 28-24. Mike Rosamilia from Ford of Williamsport is taking the Bengals 35-28. Hopefully, their boss doesn’t see this.
Charlie Levering from Keystone Furniture is also making calls based on uniform. He likes the Ram better, so he thinks they will win by 6.
Dan Klingerman also has some thoughts on the game, “I think Los Angeles will win and win big. Several factors. Possibly by two touchdowns. I believe that Cincinnati has been playing over their head; LA Defense will be too much for Cincinnati, and being played in home-field can’t hurt. Time for Joe Burrow to have an off game. Bengals Offensive line will never stop Aaron Donald or Von Miller.”
Brian Peace from Murray Motors offered these notes, “Rams have two great receivers, Kupp and Beckham they are too good to be stopped. Plus, the Rams have a great defensive line. Rams 30 to Bengals 24.”
Mike Rupert, from Rupert’s Specialty Meats, believes that the Rams are going to win 31-14. That’s quite the spread!
Ken DiRocco, Impact Advertising, added his two cents, “Well, being a Buffalo Bills Fan, my enthusiasm in this year’s Superbowl is certainly diminished. Also with no Steelers, no Giants, no Eagles, no Patriots, no Commanders (YUCK), I think the eastern US may not be as excited about this game. But as far as predicting the winner, let’s look at both teams. The Rams, on paper, should easily win. With people like Kupp, OBJ and Stafford on offense scoring tons of points, complimented by an all-star defense featuring Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and new additions Von Miller and Eric Weddle (who came out of retirement), their defense is stacked. But the Bengals look like a team of destiny this year. They knocked off the AFC’s number one seed, the Titans, then their defense did what Buffalo’s D couldn’t do — they stymied the KC offense. Plus their offense is really powerful with running back Mixon, and young sensation Joe Burrow at QB and his connection with Chase his favorite receiver, who he played with in college. Though I wouldn’t mind Stafford finally winning a Super Bowl after a lifetime in the purgatory in Detroit, I think the Bengals can’t be beat. Bengals 24, Rams 21.”
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Steph, where is your prediction?” Well, thank you for asking.
I am not a huge football fan, but if I have to pick a team, it will always be the 49ers. So, with that in mind, the Rams can suck it. #WhoDey!
In reality, I’m more excited for the Halftime show than anything. Dre, Snoop, Em, Mary J., Kendrick?! It’s my own little hip-hop dream come true! I feel like those of us who came up in the 90s, are about to have the concert of a lifetime. This show is STACKED with rap and R&B royalty. The five performers have a total of 43 Grammys and 21 Billboard No. 1 albums.
Final Super Bowl thoughts. Please drink responsibly. Eat i rresponsibly. Have fun but show up for work on Monday — or don’t, it’s not really any of my business. But mostly, be safe — no drinking and driving.
